A number of developments in recent years have highlighted the need to promote improved training for those providing care and treatment for Eating Disorders.

The Framework Mental Health Document on Eating Disorders (Scottish Executive Health Department 2001) and the Quality Improvement Scotland (QIS) Recommendations for Management and Treatment for Eating Disorders in Scotland (2006) both highlighted the need to develop and improve training.

NHS Education Scotland (NES) have supported the development of a curriculum and an accreditation system for multi-disciplinary training across the age range in Eating Disorders. This led to the setting-up of a Steering Group who have developed an Accreditation Pack in Eating Disorders.

The training outlined will be appropriate for a range of different professional groups and will be open to those from any clinical background who wish to develop an accredited level of knowledge and expertise in the assessment and management of eating disorders. It is expected that over time it will become a basic requirement that those working in specialised services for eating disorders should hold – or be working towards – this accreditation. Re-accreditation programmes and higher levels of accreditation are being developed for more experienced and specialised practitioners.

Multi-professional training has great strengths but the detailed approval of training is tailored to each applicant’s relevant professional discipline. It is intended that the accreditation should be fully compatible with systems developing under the knowledge and skills framework.