I thank the Deputy for the question. I was expecting Deputy Clarke. Eating disorders are complex and individual and can be one of the most serious mental health issues. The national clinical programme on eating disorders is progressing well with 14 of the 16 teams envisaged by the model of care now funded and approximately 100 dedicated eating disorder clinicians working in teams across the country. Approximately 90% of people with eating disorders are treated in the community. Enhancement of eating disorder services is a key priority for me and I have stated my intention to secure funding for the remaining teams in the next budget. In response to the Deputy's question on inpatient admissions, eating disorders affect a relatively young section of the population and younger people can access 20 dedicated eating disorder beds across the four CAMHS inpatient units. As of the most recent update available, the waiting list nationally to access beds in CAMHS units, for those aged 18 and under, due to eating disorders was two as of 6 May. For adults, the HSE currently works to meet people’s needs through the provision of general adult mental health beds, by procuring private capacity on a case-by-case basis and through the three specialist eating disorder beds at St. Vincent’s Hospital. As of yesterday evening, no one was waiting to access the beds at St. Vincent's. A review of adult bed capacity for specialist eating disorder beds is currently under way and the national clinical programme is developing a plan with a geographic spread based on this review. I met with the HSE about eight weeks ago regarding a plan to increase bed numbers organically. We are keen to have a geographical spread of these beds. I expect to receive this plan from the HSE next month. It was promised that I would have it by the end of June.
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To be clear, since this model of care came in, no child under 18 has had to go abroad for treatment. Since 2019, 14 people have gone abroad for treatment under the auspices of the HSE. Other people may have gone under the cover of private healthcare, but we know that 14 people went abroad for very specialised treatment. Turning back to the Deputy's initial question, there were two phases to the clinical model of care when it was launched in 2019. I suppose the plan was centred on the fact that the HSE and best practice showed the majority of people with an eating disorder are best served in the community. The emphasis was put on the teams being displaced all over the country. As I said, 14 of the 16 teams are funded, with 11 now operational. We will have the 14 teams up and running by the end of the year. Phase 2 concerns the eating disorder beds for adults. We have 20 for children and this capacity is sufficient. We monitor it weekly. I will speak to this aspect in my next contribution.
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I thank the Deputy for his question. We saw eating disorders grow exponentially during Covid, for example. This was especially the case among younger girls aged 14, 15 and 16. Last year, for example, the eating disorder clinical team worked with approximately 520 young people. Many of those were transferred back to a GP for further support. It is possible to recover from an eating disorder but it is a very difficult process and happens on a case-by-case basis. For some people, it can take up to seven years to recover. One of the challenges we encounter a lot is the transition of a young person who has been receiving the support of a dedicated team while aged under 18 to the adult services. This is an area we are really putting a focus on. It is the reason I am waiting on the plan from the HSE to develop eating disorder beds for adults across the country and to try to increase them organically. We have 64 approved centres round the country and there is absolutely no reason why there cannot be one or two beds with the correct wraparound supports. The support of a dietician here is extremely important.
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