Over 90 people on waiting lists for eating disorder services
Michael Bolton
The latest figures from the HSE show there is over 90 people on waiting lists across the State for eating disorder services.
Documents obtained by Breakingnews.ie through the Freedom of Information Act from the HSE show there are 93 people on waiting lists as of July 31st.
This is down from the 105 people who were on the list in May 31st, 2023.
Community Health Organisation 6 (CHO), which covers Dublin East South East and Wicklow, has the highest number of people waiting for eating disorder services, with 24 people on waiting lists.
When it comes to eating disorder teams in CAMHS, CHO 4, which is in Cork, has 35 people on waiting lists for eating disorder services.
In a statement from the Department of Health, they acknowledged the progress that has been made and the number of new eating disorder teams.
"The Model of Care for the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders (NCP-ED) launched in 2018 and Minister Butler has prioritised the roll out of the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders (NCP-ED) since taking up office in July 2020.
"The NCP-ED is being implemented across the country by multidisciplinary teams on a phased basis. There are now eleven teams in place: six Adult teams and five Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) teams. Six new teams started in 2023, and in May 2024, Minister Butler announced the establishment of a new team for CHO7, which will cover the area of Kildare/West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City and Dublin South West.
"This will bring the total number of eating disorder teams nationally to twelve.
"There are approximately 100 posts funded under the National Clinical Programme. Over 80 eating disorder clinicians, including 10 Consultant Psychiatrists, are now treating people with eating disorders.
"Dedicated investment in eating disorders continues, and last year the Health Service Executive (HSE) spent €8.1 million on eating disorder services under the Clinical Programme. Minister Butler is firmly committed to enhancing specialist services for eating disorders, including improved access and shorter waiting lists.
"Minister Butler on Monday met with the Clinical Leads of the National Clinical Programmes and Models of Care to discuss Budget priorities for 2025."
