Over 90 people on waiting lists for eating disorder services

Michael Bolton

Figures from the HSE show there are over 90 people on waiting lists for eating disorder services across the country.

Figures seen by BreakingNews.ie, through the Freedom of Information Act 2014, show that as of March 13th, there were 92 people waiting for access to 11 specialist eating disorder teams.

The waiting time for an initial assessment varies from one week to 26 weeks.

According to the HSE, over 90 eating disorder clinicians have been recruited since the establishment of the National Clinical Programme (NCP) for eating disorders.

Prior to 2018, there were fewer than five HSE clinicians in dedicated eating disorder posts.

There are currently five CAMHS teams and six adult teams at various stages of development across the HSE.

In a statement from the Department of Health, a spokesperson said: "Eating disorders are complex and serious mental illnesses. The National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders has made significant progress, with increases in funding secured by Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler T.D., in successive budgets. Fourteen of the 16 specialist community teams recommended in the Model of Care have been funded and are at various stages of development across the country."

The Department said two teams funded in Budget 2025 will be located in the HSE Midwest (CAMHS Emergency Department [ED] team) and the HSE Dublin and Midlands Region. Both teams should be in place by the end of this year, it said.

"Access to services has increased significantly in recent years, with 25 per cent more assessments in 2024 compared to 2023. Around 100 dedicated clinicians are now working in specialist eating disorder treatment nationwide.

"There are 20 dedicated beds across CAMHS inpatient units to support younger people, with a minimal waiting list. Inpatient care for adults is provided through beds funded in private hospitals, as well as specialist beds at St Vincent’s University Hospital.

"A review of adult bed capacity—to expand the number of specialist adult public beds and ensure a better geographic spread—is underway by the HSE, and the Minister expects to receive it in June 2025. A review of the Model of Care is also planned, in response to increased demand for services and population growth."