PEACE hands over the baton as it comes to an end

The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire (BOB) Pathway for Eating Disorders and Autism developed from Clinical Experience (PEACE) programme is now coming to an end after three years. The programme was created in 2021 to support young people with an eating disorder who are autistic, and it will now be available through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) within the Trust's Eating Disorder Services.

In recent years, research has found a link between eating disorders and autism which has led to finding better ways to support these people. Autistic people are more likely to have poorer health outcomes and experiences, so embedding the expertise from PEACE within the CAMHS clinical teams means young people will now be able to receive focussed care as part of our routine Eating Disorder Services.

Dr Jo Holliday, Oxford Health’s Clinical Lead for PEACE, said “Making sure our eating disorder services recognise and meet the needs of young autistic people has been a key part of the work we’ve done over the past three years. As the programme comes to an end, we are really excited to see Trust eating disorder services and the wider CAMHS offer neuro-affirming care and continue to innovate so that people receive the care and treatment which meets their needs.”

Over the last three years, PEACE has supported 214 autistic children and young people with an eating disorder and provided expert advice on 160 clinical cases caring for autistic patients. They have also provided specialist training to mental health professional and secured accreditation for three BOB CAMHS Eating Disorder Services from the National Autistic Society.