I am a volunteer to “Eating Disorder Support” www.eatingdisorders support.co.uk. We are a local organisation, in Chesham, but deal with calls from both sufferers and carers from all over the country.

We find the situation we are in to be very frustrating, since we encourage people to visit their doctor if they have a problem with food. Over and over again we hear the same answer: The referral has been dismissed because the BMI is not low enough.

I wonder whether the decision makers are aware of what they are doing? An eating disorder, by its very nature, wants to lower the BMI. As soon as the sufferer is told that it is not low enough they see a green light... amazing! “I have now been given permission to ‘fast’. I have been told to lose weight in order to get help to stop fasting so as to put on weight!”

This situation is ridiculous but oh so common. I was first made aware of how bad it was, when a sufferer came with this problem to our self- help group. She said “the only way I can get help is to starve myself” I didn’t believe her at the time, but have since discovered it to be absolutely true.

This is a very serious, sad, state of affairs. We are dealing with people who suffer from eating disorders on a daily basis.

No one will admit to having a problem with food unless it really is the case. I am wondering whether the BMI should be tested at all? It is a secretive illness, and scares the sufferer as they do not understand what is happening to them. At the stage, when they admit that they have a problem, they need help. They cannot wait till next month or year, they need it NOW. At this time they can be helped. If they wait, and discover that they are not thin enough... many of them will die.

May I suggest that the government might change the criteria for which to accept a patient? If someone feels they need help, please give it to them. Maybe this could save money... and lives?

Name and address withheld