EmpowerED Conference 2024 - Fostering Collaboration to Improve Outcomes for Complex Eating Disorders and Personality Disorders

20240501_094200-COLLAGE.jpgEmpowerED, Adult Eating Disorders, Lead Provider Collaborative, North West, was delighted to host the first EmpowerED Conference 2024 which brought together over 200 professionals, clinicians, and stakeholders at Aintree Racecourse for a full day of keynotes, case studies, and discussions aimed at improving outcomes for individuals with eating disorders and complex emotional and relational needs (CERN). The event, held on 1 May 2024, focused on fostering skills, relationships, and knowledge across the North West.

The conference began with an interactive session by Dr Matthew Cahill, Consultant Psychiatrist in Eating Disorders and Clinical Director at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Eating Disorder Services. Dr Cahill, focused on the theme of "Gathering Opinions and Bringing Honesty." His presentation encouraged open dialogue, inviting delegates to share their insights and experiences.

Dr Cahill's approach emphasized the importance of collective understanding and transparency in addressing the complexities of eating disorders. His interactive session set a collaborative tone for the day, engaging attendees in meaningful discussions about the challenges they face and the innovative solutions they have developed.

20240507_132718-COLLAGE.jpgThe conference featured several keynotes from leading experts in the field. Prof Anthony Bateman, Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, MBT Coordinator at the Anna Freud National Centre, London; Visiting Professor University College London, explored the link between eating disorders, emotions, and relationships through a mentalizing approach. His talk delved into how this perspective can add significant value to the treatment and understanding of complex disorders.

Dr Tony Winston, Consultant in Eating Disorders, Medical Lead for Eating Disorders Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, reflected on the connections between eating disorders and personality disorders. He provided insights into the  proposed pathways to improve care for the people we care for.

Dr Erica Cini shared case examples and discussed the current evidence base for managing eating disorder-related behaviours. Her presentation highlighted established guidelines and best practices in clinical settings.

The conference also included interactive case studies that explored the barriers and challenges in treating complex cases. Dr Tomos Williams, Consultant Psychiatrist in Eating Disorders, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and Dr Emma Salazar, Clinical Lead, Oakwood, Stockport Community Adult Eating Disorder Service, presented detailed case studies, describing the complexity and the innovative approaches used to overcome obstacles in treatment.

A guided discussion led by Duncan Campbell, Head of Clinical Commissioning, EmpowerED LPC encouraged collaboration among attendees. The session focused on identifying areas of agreement and cooperation to enhance future efforts in managing eating disorders and personality disorders.

The success of the EmpowerED Conference 2024 underscores the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation among professionals in the field. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the complexities of eating disorders and a renewed commitment to improving patient outcomes.

9.00am-9.30am - Registration and refreshments

 

9.30am-9.35am - Welcome and introductions

    • Jenny Scott, Associate Director of Commissioning (Lead Provider Collaboratives)

9.35am-11.00am - Part 1 – Setting the Scene

    • Chair – Dr Sarah Parkinson, Consultant Clinical Psychologist – Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

9.35am-10.00am - Mentimeter – Gathering Opinions and Bringing Honesty

    • Dr Matthew Cahill, Consultant Psychiatrist in Eating Disorders, Clinical Director Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Eating Disorder Services; Clinical Lead, EmpowerED Lead Provider Collaborative

10.00am-11.00am - Eating Disorders, Emotions, and Relationships: Does a Mentalizing Approach Add Value?

    • Prof Anthony Bateman, Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, MBT Coordinator at the Anna Freud National Centre, London; Visiting Professor University College, London; Honorary Professor in Psychotherapy University of Copenhagen

 

11.00am-11.20am - Refreshments

 

11.20am-12.45pm - Part 2 – Exploring the Complexity

    • Chair – Dr Emma Salazar, Clinical Lead, Oakwood, Stockport Community Adult Eating Disorder Service

11.20am-12.00pm - Eating Disorders and Personality Disorder: Reflections from the Working Group on Complex Eating Disorders

    • Dr Tony Winston, Consultant in Eating Disorders, Medical Lead for Eating Disorders Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust; Honorary Associate Clinical Professor, University of Warwick

12.00pm-12:45pm - Case Study - Describing Complexity – Exploring the Barriers and Challenges

    • Dr Tomos Williams, Consultant Psychiatrist in Eating Disorders, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Eating Disorder Service
    • Dr Emma Salazar, Clinical Lead, Oakwood, Stockport Community Adult Eating Disorder Service

12.45pm-1:45pm - Lunch

 

1.45pm-3.15pm - Part 3 – Finding a Way Forward

    • Chair – Duncan Campbell, Head of Clinical Commissioning, Empowered Lead Provider Collaborative

1.45pm-2.30pm - Case Study : A Guided Discussion Exploring Areas of Agreement and Co-operation

    • Duncan Campbell, Head of Clinical Commissioning, Empowered Lead Provider Collaborative

2.30pm-3.15pm - Management of Eating Disorder Related Behaviours – Case Examples, Established Guidelines and Current Evidence Base

    • Dr Erica Cini, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Lead Psychiatrist Eating Disorder Intensive Program, East London NHS Foundation Trust; Deputy Clinical Director of Mental Health, NHS England; Clinical Senior Lecturer, King’s College London; Honorary Associate Professor, University College London.

 

3.15pm-3.30pm - Refreshments

 

3.30pm-4.30pm - Part 4 – Next Steps

    • Chairs – Dr Magdalene Sampson, Consultant Clinical Psychology Lead (GMMH),
    • Dr Jane Evans, Consultant Clinical Psychologist (LSCFT)

3.30pm-4.20pm - Reflections of the Day, Next Steps and Where We Go From Here?

    • Dr Magdalene Sampson, Consultant Clinical Psychology Lead (GMMH),
    • Dr Jane Evans, Consultant Clinical Psychologist (LSCFT)

4.20pm-4.30pm - Closing remarks

    • Dr Matthew Cahill, Consultant Psychiatrist in Eating Disorders, Clinical Director Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Eating Disorder Services; Clinical Lead, EmpowerED Lead Provider Collaborative

 

Prof Anthony W Bateman MA, FRCPsych
Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, MBT Coordinator at the Anna Freud National Centre, London; Visiting Professor University College, London; Honorary Professor in Psychotherapy University of Copenhagen.

He developed mentalization based treatment for borderline personality disorder, was an expert member of NICE development group for treatment guidelines for Borderline Personality Disorder in UK and was Chair of the National Guideline Development Group for Eating Disorders. He was President of the European Society for the Study of Personality Disorders (ESSPD) from 2012-2015.

He received a senior scientist award from British and Irish group for the Study of Personality Disorder (BIGSPD) in 2012; in 2015 the annual award for Achievement in the Field of Severe Personality Disorders from the BPDRC in the USA; and in 2023 received the John G Gunderson Distinguished Career Contribution Award from the International Society for Study of Personality Disorder (ISSPD). He has authored 16 books and over 150 peer reviewed research articles on personality disorder and the use of psychotherapy in psychiatric practice.

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Dr Tony Winston
Consultant in Eating Disorders, Medical Lead for Eating Disorders, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust; Honorary Associate Clinical Professor, University of Warwick

Dr Tony Winston is Consultant in Eating Disorders at the Aspen Centre, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust, where he leads an inpatient and outpatient service for adults. He qualified in medicine in 1987 and undertook postgraduate training in general medicine, psychiatry and psychotherapy. He set up the country's first specialist clinic for patients with eating disorders and diabetes, which is now an NHS England national pilot site.

He is an Honorary Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Warwick and is currently involved in research into eating disorders in people with diabetes and anorexia nervosa and autism. His other interests are in psychodynamic psychotherapy and medical complications of eating disorders. He edited the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Guidelines for the Nutritional Management of Anorexia Nervosa (2005) and was joint author of Guidelines for Managing Transitions When the Patient has an Eating Disorder (2017). He currently chairs the NHS England Working Group on Complex Eating Disorders.

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Dr Erica Cini
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Lead Psychiatrist Eating Disorder Intensive Program, East London NHS Foundation Trust; Deputy Clinical Director of Mental Health, NHS England; Clinical Senior Lecturer, King’s College London; Honorary Associate Professor, University College London

Erica is a clinical academic at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London and at University College London. Clinically, she practices as a consultant psychiatrist at East London NHS Foundation Trust where she is the lead psychiatrist for the Eating Disorders Intensive Programme for Children & Young People. Erica is the deputy clinical director for mental health at NHS England (London region) & a clinical advisor to Beat, the national eating disorder charity.

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Princess Royal Room Aintree Racecourse

Grand National Racecourse

Grand National Ave

Ormskirk Rd, Aintree

Liverpool L9 5AH

Free parking onsite, a steward will be present on the day to direct people throughout the day. 

 

This project was designed to assist acute medical staff when managing a patient admitted with a severe eating disorder. We are fortunate in the northwest as, following a lot of good work, we have forged good relationships with acute hospital trusts to develop robust systems and treatment pathways for patients admitted to regional hospitals. But there is still a lot of work to do, as well as training for our colleagues.

EmpowerED Conference Delegate Pack  2024.pngThis QR code is designed to navigate staff to prompt advice if they are helping to manage someone admitted with a severe eating disorder.

This will include:

  • What our patients with eating disorders are trying to tell you
  • Link to full MEED guidance
  • Quick, easy to read initial advice for physical management
  • Quick, easy to read initial advice for dietetic management

To learn more click here.