Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 2

Written Answers. - Eating Disorders.

Richard Bruton

Question:

250 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated prevalence of eating disorders; and if he will give a breakdown between male and female patients. [15050/99]

Richard Bruton

Question:

252 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of dedicated beds available to persons suffering from eating disorders; the way in which this compares with international ratios for the provision of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15052/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 252 together.

There is no universally accepted estimate of the prevalence of eating disorders. Eating disorders can be extremely serious for those affected and their families. Although these conditions are not specific to either gender, they particularly affect women. The symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Persons presenting with eating disorders are generally treated through the psychiatric services of their local health board. Outpatient services are provided from a network of hospitals, health centres, day hospitals and day centres. Where inpatient treatment is deemed necessary, it is provided in the local acute psychiatric unit or hospital, beds being allocated on the basis of patient need at any particular time. A tertiary referral service for eating disorders is available in St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, where three inpatient beds are designated for this purpose. A similar service is available privately at St. Patrick's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin, and at St. John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, County Dublin.

No data are available to compare against international ratios for the provision of services for people suffering from eating disorders. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the provision of these services compares unfavourably with those available in other countries.

Richard Bruton

Question:

251 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of treatments available for patients with eating disorders are not covered by the medical card such as at a clinic (details supplied) and that the availability of psychiatric services to deal with this condition under the general medical service severely restricts the effectiveness of available treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15051/99]

Under arrangements for public hospital services introduced in June 1991, on foot of the Health (Amendment) Act, 1991, everyone, regardless of income, is entitled to public hospital and public consultant services subject only to modest statutory charges from which medical card holders are exempt.

Medical card holders are entitled to the full range of public health services free of charge. This entitlement includes wide-ranging treatment and curative general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all inpatient public hospital services in public wards, all outpatient public hospital services and dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances.

Persons presenting with eating disorders may avail of a range of public health services delivered by health boards. Where inpatient treatment is deemed necessary, patients may avail of care facilities in an acute psychiatric unit or hospital, beds being allocated on the basis of need at any particular time. Outpatient services are provided from a network of hospitals, health centres, day hospitals and day centres.

All persons, including medical card holders, who opt for private treatment are liable for expenses incurred in respect of care and treatment.

Top
Share