Corrina Calder, a mother from Huyton, says she feels trapped as she cannot get her eight-year-old daughter Bronx, who has severe autism, the specialist care she needs due to an unfair postcode lottery. Bronx struggles with eating and will only consume a handful of “safe” foods, such as plain yoghurt and crisps.
Struggles with Eating
Corrina suspects Bronx suffers from Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a type of eating disorder commonly found in people with autism. Despite repeated visits to GPs and hospitals, she has been unable to secure a specialist appointment, as she was told no such service exists in her postcode.
The family lives in Huyton, which falls under the Knowsley Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) at Whiston Hospital. However, Corrina was informed that Knowsley CAMHS could not diagnose ARFID and was directed to Liverpool CAMHS at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Because the family is not registered with a Liverpool-based GP, she was turned away.
Impact on Daily Life
Corrina explained that Bronx has always struggled with eating due to sensory problems with textures and flavours. She cannot feed herself and must be spoon-fed by her mother. Mealtimes are extremely stressful, and Bronx has meltdowns if there is something different in her food. Corrina has spent over a year introducing new foods, such as spaghetti with sauce, and must mash vegetables into a puree to get them into Bronx’s diet.
“She may not look malnourished but she’s still struggling to eat and nobody is taking me seriously,” Corrina said. “Mealtimes are very stressful. It completely takes over.”
Postcode Lottery
An Alder Hey spokesperson stated that its Eating Disorder Service for Young People (EDYS) is only commissioned to treat children with a GP in Liverpool and Sefton. Corrina described this as a postcode lottery, saying, “Because I’m in the wrong postcode, I can’t get her a diagnosis. It’s wrong.”
Corrina has been in touch with her MP, PALS, and NHS England but continues to face an ongoing battle. She believes other children are going through the same thing and deserves to have people understand why she is the way she is.
Broader Impact
Bronx is non-verbal and depends solely on her mother for care. She cannot feed, wash, or dress herself. She also cannot access activities like soft plays or community farms due to noise sensitivity, which causes massive meltdowns. Finding quiet places that meet her needs is difficult, and half terms are even harder.
A spokesperson for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said, “We’re sorry to hear about the difficulties Bronx and her family have experienced. We recognise that there is limited access to specialist ARFID services across the region and the country. We’re currently reviewing how children and families in Cheshire and Merseyside can get the support they need, wherever they live, more easily.”
