Press Release: Wednesday 26 February 2025
Minister for Mental Health confirms two additional Eating Disorders Teams to increase supports for children and adults
The Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler T.D. has today announced the locations for two additional eating disorder teams, being funded under Budget 2025.14 of the 16 teams are now established.
The new teams will be a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) eating disorder team in HSE Midwest, and an adult eating disorder team across the regional health areas of HSE Dublin and Midlands, and HSE Dublin and North East. The new CAMHS eating disorder team will cover Limerick city, county and county Clare, and the new adult team will cover counties that to date have not been served by an eating disorder team – Louth, Meath, Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly. Their commencement is part of the nationwide rollout of the HSE’s National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders, and is supported by an additional investment of €1.2 million this year.
Minister Butler’s announcement takes place during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, an annual campaign to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and to provide support to individuals and loved ones impacted by eating disorders.
Minister Butler said:
“I am really pleased to confirm new eating disorder teams for the Midwest and Midlands. These multidisciplinary teams will support children and adults with eating disorders, working to assess people’s needs, diagnose eating disorders, and commence person-centred treatment based on a variety of evidence-based interventions.
“Eating disorder teams have greatly enhanced screening and early recognition of eating disorders in Ireland, and are providing swifter access to specialist services.”
By the end of 2025, 14 of the 16 teams outlined in the Model of Care on Eating Disorders will be fully operational.
Minister Butler also welcomed 2024 data for the National Clinical Programme showing increases in activity across referrals, assessments, diagnoses and access to treatment. There was a 33% increase in referrals versus 2023 (a total of 894), with a 25% increase in assessments completed (562). Access times for services also improved, with 62% of referrals assessed within four weeks, and 90% of people commencing treatment within four weeks of their assessment.
The Minister concluded:
“Improving access to quality services is an absolute priority for me, and I know there is more to be done as we work to complete the rollout of the National Clinical Programme. I will continue efforts to ensure additional investment in eating disorder supports to make sure that care is delivered where and when needed, including both community based and inpatient care.
“This week I am meeting with the HSE Clinical Lead on Eating Disorders to discuss future service developments and the upcoming review of the Model of Care which will ensure that our eating disorder services are in line with evolving international best practice.
“I am determined to build on the progress made with the Programme to date to deliver quality Eating Disorders services to those who need it, and the two new additional teams I have announced today will make a big difference in achieving that objective”
