Parents in 'dire straits' over lack of services for children with eating disorders

Data from the Health Research Board, published by the Irish Examiner on Thursday, showed that eating disorders accounted for almost three in 10 admissions to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) inpatient units in 2025. File picture

Parents of loved ones with eating disorders are in “dire straits” because of a lack of services, a support group has said.

Caring About Recovery From Eating Disorders (Cared) Ireland said they were not surprised by new figures showing a significant increase in child admissions to psychiatric inpatient units for eating disorders over the last five years.

Data from the Health Research Board, published by the Irish Examiner on Thursday, showed that eating disorders accounted for almost three in 10 admissions to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) inpatient units in 2025.

This compared to nearly two in 10 admissions in 2020. Eating disorders are the single biggest category of psychiatric diagnosis among children admitted to hospital.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland on Friday. Paula Crotty, founder of Cared Ireland, said: “I’m not surprised [about the increase], not surprised at all. 

"We see it in our WhatsApp group, we nearly have 200 parents and carers now. Every day we are hearing about the disasters that are happening out there. Parents are in dire straits, in desperate and dire straits with no services or bare amount of services.” 

Ms Crotty said it was “terrifying” and “heartbreaking” to hear the stories from parents and carers. 

She said that while the HSE maintains eating disorders are best treated in the community, a lack of specialist services and expertise means some patients have to be admitted to hospital. She said the issue affects both children and adults.

Ms Crotty said that if people are fortunate to live in areas where there are specialist teams to deal with eating disorders, they may get the necessary help. 

She said there are currently six specialist community-based eating disorder teams for adults and five for children across the country. The Government has said all 16 planned teams are expected to be in place by early 2027.

Ms Crotty said the services need to listen to parents: “Medical teams need to realise parents know their child better than they do. Parents and families need to be listened to and heard.” 

She encouraged anyone concerned about a child, relative or friend with an eating disorder to seek help through their GP.

Ms Crotty added: “Your hope is the GP is aware enough of what’s out there and where they can go — whether it’s a Camhs eating disorder specialised team or Bodywhys, the national eating disorder charity [who have] very good information for parents and carers and also support people who have eating disorders.

“I’d encourage any GP who doesn’t know a lot about it, to find out about it.” 

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