Review of care for people with eating disorders set to begin

Minister of state for mental health Mary Butler ordered the review following increases in population and the demand for services. She has now been advised by the HSE that 'preliminary work has commenced on the scoping of the review'.Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Work is under way on a review of the model of care for eating disorders, as Eating Disorder Awareness Week takes place.

The review was ordered last September by Mary Butler, minister of state for mental health, as plans to deliver 16 specialist teams across the country were almost two years behind schedule.

In January 2018, the HSE published a five-year model of care for community eating disorders, with a plan to have the specialist teams in place by 2023. However, this deadline was not met.

Funding announced in this year's budget for two additional national eating disorder teams will bring the number of completed teams to 14 by the end of the year. 

Ms Butler ordered the review following increases in population and the demand for services. She has now been advised by the HSE that “preliminary work has commenced on the scoping of the review”.

“The outcomes of this review will inform the future development of teams and eating disorder teams’ staffing requirements etc from 2025 onwards," she added.

The review is being undertaken by the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders, in collaboration with Bodywhys, the partner organisation to the programme, and other stakeholders. 

Bed capacity

There are currently just three beds for inpatient treatment for eating disorders in Ireland. A review of bed capacity across all mental health facilities, including adult eating disorder inpatient facilities, has also taken place, and is currently under consideration by the HSE.

Last month, the Irish Examiner reported that since the launch of the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders in 2018, the HSE has spent more than €12.5m sending patients with eating disorders abroad for treatment under the Treatment Abroad Scheme. These included seven patients in 2023, at a cost of €4.6m.

As Eating Disorder Awareness Week continues, Harriet Parsons, training and development manager with Bodywhys, said: “At family level, the emotional impact of caring for someone with an eating disorder is very high, including shock and guilt. This is clear from parents and carers who’ve described their journeys as though they’ve been to hell and back, being taken by surprise that an eating disorder has entered their lives, and how it has been the most mentally draining experience they’ve ever encountered."

Anyone who wants to learn more, support someone or raise awareness can find all the details about Eating Disorders Awareness Week on bodywhys.ie and social media platforms, she added. "We are always here to listen, and we remain committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where all stories are heard, and welcomed.”

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.