Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2025
122. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health for an update on additional inpatient capacity she intends to create for people with severe eating disorders who require hospital admission; the number of additional beds she intends to create; the location and a time-frame for their delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64549/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders has progressed really well with 14 of the 16 teams envisaged by the Model of Care now funded. Most teams are fully operational and seeing people with ED every day; other teams are at different stages of recruitment and preparation for being operational. The most effective treatment setting for eating disorders is in the community, and 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.
While a small number of people benefit from inpatient treatment, research shows 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.
Access to services is increasing, with 25% as many assessments conducted in 2024 compared to 2023 (562 v 449). Approximately 100 dedicated Eating Disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are working on teams across the country. Enhancement for specialist mental health services such as eating disorders is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole, and the HSE.
Adults who have an 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 with 3 specialist eating disorder beds in St Vincents University Hospital.
The HSE have now completed a report on inpatient eating bed disorder bed capacity required for the future. This report has been received by my Department for further consideration for alignment with the HSE National Capital Plan.
Enhancing Eating Disorder services is a priority for me as Minister, and I recently secured funding from Budget 2026 for two new additional eating disorder teams. This will assist more people with an eating disorder requiring access to specialist eating disorder mental health services.
