[Clinical capacity issues in adult eating disorder care in the Netherlands]

Clinical care for adults with eating disorders in the Netherlands is under pressure due to limited capacity and long waiting times. Insight into bed capacity, occupancy, and waiting lists in specialized clinics and medical-psychiatric units (MPUs) is lacking.

To gain insight into clinical capacity in eating disorder care in the Netherlands METHOD: A nationwide telephone survey was conducted among 8 clinics and 31 MPUs. Data on capacity, occupancy, waiting lists, and admission criteria were collected between August 26 and September 9, 2025.

The clinics had 115 beds, with 103 occupied and 103 patients waiting. Length of stay ranged from months to longer. Some applied BMI thresholds: compulsory care was limited. MPUs had 40-45 beds, 25 occupied, and 20 waiting. Care ranged from acute somatic interventions to structured weight restoration and compulsory care.

Severe capacity problems, long waiting times, varying admission criteria, and limited compulsory care highlight the urgent need for expansion of capacity, national coordination and stronger collaboration.