People waiting up to 26 weeks for eating disorder services

Michael Bolton

The HSE has revealed patients are waiting up to 26 weeks on waiting lists for eating disorder services.

In a dicument seen by Breakingnews, the HSE has said waiting time for an initial assessment varies from one week to 26 weeks.

As of March 13th, there was 92 people on waiting lists for eating disorder services across the 11 specialist teams.

Following Budget 2025, funding was provided to commence an adult eating disorder team for Dublin South Kildare and west Wicklow.

The HSE said two new teams will be delivered in 2025, CAMHS ED team in Mid-West and Adult ED team in Midlands.

They have said this will enable adult ED Teams in Kilkenny/Wexford/Waterford and Dublin South to deliver a service across their large catchment area.

Children and adolescents with an eating disorder diagnosis who require inpatient treatment can be referred to one of the CAMHS inpatient approved centres by their treating CAMHS consultant.

There are four CAMHS inpatient acute units across the country; Linn Dara in Dublin, St Joseph’s Approved Centre in Dublin, Eist Linn Approved Centre in Cork and Merlin Park Approved Centre in Galway.

Adults with eating disorder diagnosis and require inpatient care can be referred to any of the HSE’s acute inpatient mental health approved centres around the country.

The HSE funds beds within private hospitals with dedicated eating disorder programmes for adults where recommended by an adult psychiatrist.

One Adult Eating Disorder Team also provides care to its catchment area three specialist eating disorder beds in St Vincent’s University Hospital.

The Department of Health said in 2024, there was 562 assessments carried out, compared to the 449 in 2023, and increase of 25 per cent.

In a statement from the Department, a spokesperson said: "While a small number of people benefit from inpatient treatment, research shows that the most effective treatment setting for eating disorders is in the community.

"The HSE works hard to meet the needs of people with eating disorders in the setting most appropriate to their needs.

"The roll out of community teams under the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders continues apace; by the end of this year 14 teams out of the 16 envisaged in the Model of Care will be in place.

"Most teams are fully operational and seeing people with eating disorders every day; some teams are at different stages of recruitment to become operational.