The urgent case of a young adult with anorexia, who was placed on an end‑of‑life care pathway, was raised during Prime Minister’s Questions this week. Speaking on Wednesday, the MP for West Wight, Richard Quigley, highlighted that the decision was made despite national guidance confirming anorexia is not considered a terminal illness.

Mr Quigley told the Prime Minister: “Two weeks ago, a 19‑year‑old anorexia sufferer was placed on an end‑of‑life care pathway after Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust obtained a Court of Protection ruling to withdraw her treatment. This decision directly contradicts NICE guidelines and the Minister for Care’s own statement in September that eating disorders are not terminal illnesses. Will the Prime Minister urgently review this case to ensure that this young lady and her family receive the support they need, and that she is given every possible chance to recover and live?”

Mr Quigley’s intervention follows his ongoing work with the All‑Party Parliamentary Group on Eating Disorders and his contributions to debates on mental health, including a Westminster Hall debate in September on preventing deaths from eating disorders. At that debate, the Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, said: “Reports of people with eating disorders being offered end‑of‑life care are deeply troubling. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has been crystal clear that eating disorders are not terminal illnesses.”

In response, the Prime Minister praised Mr Quigley as a “powerful advocate for change” and confirmed Ministers will urgently review the case.

Whilst most questions to the Prime Minister are chosen by ballot, MPs can ask the Speaker if they can be called to ask a question when they have a very urgent or important issue to raise.