Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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2450.To ask the Minister for Health his views on the lack of adult psychiatric beds for those with eating disorders in the mid-west region. [33038/24]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Adults who have an eating disorder diagnosis and require inpatient care can be referred to any of the HSE’s 66 acute in-patient mental health approved centres around the country. I do accept that not all of these approved centres may have the specialist expertise available and in situ as required for all cases. New pathways have been developed between the 6 specialist Adult eating disorder teams and the relevant approved centres in their particular area to provide liaison supports.

Eating disorders affect a relatively young section of the population, with over two-thirds of referrals to the National Clinical Programme last year involving young people under 18. There are currently 20 dedicated eating disorder beds across the four 4 CAMHS in-patient units. There is only a waiting list of 2 young people for admission at present.

Following increased demand for services and the recent preliminary Census 2022 data showing an overall increase in population, a review of the Model of Care for Eating Disorders is planned during 2024. The outcome of this review will inform the eating disorder teams’ staffing requirements from 2025 onwards. In addition, a review of bed capacity across all mental health facilities – including adult eating disorder beds – has taken place and is under consideration by the HSE. I am of the opinion that there has to be a geographical focus on adult eating disorder beds.

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible in relation to the detailed information for the Mid West region.