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Eating Disorders

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (1704)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

1704. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the supports or treatments available to persons suffering from bulimia nervosa here; the number of places available in the State to treat patients suffering from bulimia; the number of persons on waiting lists for such treatment; the timeframe patients are on waiting lists before they receive treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38120/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

HSE services for people with eating disorders are embedded in the Community Mental Health Services and Primary Care Services. Individuals with eating disorders frequently present to their general practitioner as a first resort and early intervention at this level greatly improves outcomes. Community based Adult and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams receive referrals from general practitioners and provide assessment and treatment to their particular cohort.

A special allocation of €35m for mental health was provided in Budget 2012 in line with the Programme for Government commitments, part of which will support the treatment of eating disorders. The €35m funding will primarily be used to strengthen community mental health teams by ensuring, at a minimum that at least one of each mental health professional discipline is represented on each team. Over 400 additional staff will be recruited to support initiatives under the €35m package. It is intended that the additional resources will be rolled out in conjunction with a scheme of appropriate clinical care programmes which are currently being developed. Three areas in particular are being prioritised, one of which will be around the treatment and care of patients with eating disorders.

The HSE has also developed a Mental Health in Primary Care accredited training programme for primary care practitioners with Dublin City University with a view to enhancing the capacity of primary care to recognise, assess and treat a range of mental illnesses, including eating disorders, within the primary care setting. The HSE can and has worked with service providers in the independent sector to provide specialised care, on an in-patient and/or an out-patient basis. In a limited number of cases, referrals to specialised eating disorder services in Dublin or the UK can be clinically recommended and supported in appropriate circumstances, subject to the necessary resources being available.

The HSE has advised that, as there is no national information system in place for the mental health services, it is not in a position to provide information on the number of persons suffering from or admitted to the mental health services with an eating disorder.

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