Legal decisions on longstanding severe eating disorders.

Tan, Jacinta O A; Cave, Emma; Ruck Keene, Alex; Kern, Nikola; Bradshaw, Adaeze; Griffiths, Jess; Jenkins, Rachel; Robinson, Paul · Br J Psychiatry · 2026

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

The treatment of longstanding severe eating disorders is a public concern amid rising service pressures and legal cases. These cases raise complex issues about the interface between legislative schemes, restrictive practices, best interests, treatment refusal and potential interaction with assisted dying legislation, when patients lack capacity yet clearly express wishes.

Medical subject headings