THE Minister for Mental Health has announced funding for a new adult eating disorder team.
It comes after an RTE Prime Time special found there are long waiting lists and no care in certain parts of the country to deal with the issue.
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In January, Mary Butler announced an additional €10m for mental health.
Now she’s announced another eating disorder team, bringing the number to 12, and more funding for the existing ones.
Over two-thirds of referrals to the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders last year involved under-18s.
There are currently 20 dedicated eating disorder beds across the four CAMHS in-patient units.
Minister Butler said: “This new funding will ensure more people with eating disorder conditions receive the quality treatment they need.”
The roll-out of the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders has continued swiftly over the current Government term.
As a result of this, there are now 100 people working across eating disorder teams, including 80 eating disorder clinicians with 10 Consultant Psychiatrists.
She continued: “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.”
The new funding will support increasing the services for eating disorder support in the community setting.
At this time, 90 per cent of eating disorder supports, including early assessment and treatment, has been delivered.
Research shows this is the most effective approach to eating disorder treatment.
In 2023, 385 people had an eating disorder diagnosis, and 343 people with an eating diagnosis were discharged from the specialist services back to their GP during the same time.
‘VITAL SERVICES’
She 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, €8.1m was spent by the HSE on eating disorder services, and a further €4.5m 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.”
