Press release
Minister for Mental Health and Older People announces continued roll out of national Eating Disorder Teams
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
New eating disorder team for adults announced for CHO7 covering Kildare/West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City, Dublin South West.
Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler has announced increased funding for community eating disorder services in Ireland, with funding for a new Adult eating disorder team. These new measures are part of Minister Butler’s continued drive to enhance eating disorder services, in line with the Model of Care for Eating Disorders.
This team is part of a suite of new supports funded under an additional €10 million funding allocation for mental health announced by Minister Butler in January.
Today’s announcement brings the number of eating disorder teams across the country to 12.
Eating disorders encompass a number of mental health conditions with a high mortality rate, and disproportionately affect women.
Eating disorders affect a relatively young section of the population, with over two-thirds of referrals to the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders last year involving young people under 18. There are currently 20 dedicated eating disorder beds across the four CAMHS in-patient units.
The HSE works hard to meet the needs of children and adults with eating disorders in the setting most appropriate to their needs, whether that be:
Roll out of the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders has continued apace over the term of this government. As a result, there are now 100 people working across eating disorder teams, including 80 eating disorder Clinicians with 10 Consultant Psychiatrists.
Minister Butler said:
"Historically there has been a lack of publicly funded services for people with eating disorders in Ireland. This additional funding for a new eating disorder team for adults, and support for existing teams, builds on the significant investment in specialist eating disorder services since I have come to office in July 2020.
"This new funding will build on the progress made last year when six new teams commenced and will ensure more people with eating disorder conditions will receive the quality treatment they need in the setting most appropriate to their needs."
This new funding will support the delivery of increased eating disorder services in the community setting, where, at present, 90% of eating disorder supports, such as early assessment and treatment, are delivered. Research shows this is the most effective approach to eating disorder treatment. In 2023, 385 people had an eating disorder diagnosis. 343 people with an eating disorder diagnosis were discharged from specialist services back to their GP during the same time.
Minister Butler continued:
"It has been a key priority for me to ensure continued dedicated investment in eating disorder supports and to make sure that our supports are delivered where and when needed. Last year alone, €8.1 million was spent by the HSE on eating disorder services, and a further €4.5 million was allocated for treatment through the Treatment Abroad Scheme for those that needed specialist treatment. In addition, since 2021 €750,000 has been allocated by the Department of Health Women’s Health Fund to provide for consultant medical/paediatric and hospital dietitian sessions. This core funding is in place for each year.
"I have asked the HSE to undertake a review of the Model of Care for Eating Disorders this year to ensure that the most appropriate services are being developed in line with demand and changes in population. The outcome of the review will inform future staffing requirements and ensure that eating disorder services are in line with evolving international best practice. It is really important that the voices of those who use these vital services are heard and reflected in the new Model of Care, and I have asked the HSE to commence a public consultation with service users and representative groups to reflect this."
It takes on average 12-18 months to set up a multi-disciplinary team, led by a Consultant Psychiatrist.
While funding to roll out adult and CAMHS eating disorder teams has been in place for several years, recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic was very challenging.
Adults who have an eating disorder diagnosis and require inpatient care can be referred to any of the HSE’s 66 acute in-patient mental health approved centres around the country. To ensure that appropriate care is provided within the approved centres, new pathways have been developed between the 6 specialist Adult eating disorder teams and the relevant approved mental health centres in their area to provide liaison supports.
A review of bed capacity across all mental health facilities – including adult eating disorder beds – has taken place and is currently under consideration by the HSE.
A review of the Model of Care for Eating Disorders will take place later this year.