A NEW service for people with eating disorders is already short of funding, say health watchdogs.

The community-based service, planned by Burnley Health Trust, will replace the in-patient High Meadows centre at Reedley which closed earlier this month because of lack of demand and spiralling costs.

But Burnley Community Health Council say health managers have cut down too much on funding to make the new service a success.

And the patient-interests group has written to East Lancashire Health Authority bosses calling for more cash to improve the care on offer.

Chairman Frank Clifford says that after meeting patients and carers, his council believes the £94,000-a-year funding "falls far short" of what would constitute an adequate and responsive service.

"Studying the level of staffing and timetable proposed, it is clear to us that one whole time nurse and one half time occupational therapist does not come near to meeting the needs of patients and their families."

His letter to ELHA's director of planning and contracting Bev Humphrey calls for the appointment of a second nurse for the the occupational therapist to work full time.

He adds: "I am sure that you will agree that to have an effective team working in the community will be cost effective in ensuring acute episodes of care are kept to a minimum, which benefits patients and NHS alike."

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