Ipswich-based eating disorder specialists, Bramacare, have opened a new day care service in the town centre to help local adults on their road to recovery. The new Bramacare Community centre on Princes Street was opened on Friday 20th January alongside Dr Poulter MP and Tom Hunt MP who spoke about the importance of mental health services in the county.
Bramacare Community offers a range of day care activities to support adults with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, including therapy, group work, supported meals and cookery groups. There will also be an educational programme for healthcare professionals, families/carers and the wider community to promote greater awareness of eating disorders and mental health in Suffolk.
Dr Sachindev Ramoo, Director, Bramacare, said: “Thank you to all who joined us in opening our new Bramacare Community service for the people of Ipswich and East Anglia. We are pleased to be expanding our services with a range of day care activities for adults with eating disorders, as well as advice for their families and local health professionals.
“When managing an eating disorder, we recognise how important it is for people to have access to local services which are readily accessible, which is why we established Bramacare Community. We hope it will be a great addition to Ipswich and our county’s mental health offering.”
Bramacare first opened at The White House in north-Ipswich in 2017, to provide residential and supported living for adults with eating disorders. The service helps adults who are leaving hospital, some for the first time in many years, to reintegrate with the world and establish a way of living safely with their eating disorder as they work towards recovery. The service also helps to prevent hospitalisation by providing tailored care packages with access to medical monitoring, specialist nursing, therapists and dieticians.
While Bramacare supports adults from across the UK, it is hoped that Bramacare Community will serve as a vital resource for people locally.
Speaking at the Bramacare Community opening event, Dr Dan Poulter said: “I was delighted to be able to attend this event and support Bramacare, and especially so to welcome them to their new centre in Ipswich. As a practising NHS doctor myself, I welcome this new community centre from Bramacare – it is vital to ensure early intervention in order to prevent hospital admissions where possible, but, equally the provision of wraparound community support when patients leave hospital is to be welcomed and can play a key role in preventing re-admission to a hospital setting.
“More specialist and dedicated help is required when supporting individuals with eating disorders and I have every confidence that Bramacare’s new centre will make a significant difference to those in need of care and support as they recover.”
Also speaking at the event, Tom Hunt MP said: “I am very pleased to be able to welcome Bramacare to Ipswich town centre – the new facility now falls within my constituency and I’m incredibly appreciative of the vital support that is being provided to the community.
“I’m really happy to be able to support the work that Bramacare do and want to thank them on behalf of my constituents who they are now supporting.”
For more information about Bramacare, visit www.bramacare.co.uk.
