Eating disorders are life-threatening mental illnesses that affect 1 in 20 people in Ireland. Despite the widespread impact, access to specialist care remains severely limited. Currently, Ireland has just three adult inpatient specialist beds for eating disorders, all located in St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin. These beds are grossly insufficient to meet the growing demand, and for those living outside Dublin, treatment options are extremely limited. Many patients are instead referred to general psychiatric units, where they often do not receive the specialised care necessary for treating eating disorders.

The 2018 Model of Care for eating disorders called for substantial improvements in inpatient services, including the addition of 23 adult inpatient beds across the country. However, to date, only three beds remain available, with no new beds added. The promise of over 20 additional beds by 2023 has not been fulfilled, leaving many people struggling without the critical inpatient care they need.

In response to the increasing demand for eating disorder treatment, patients are being sent abroad for care under the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS). Spending on this scheme has surged from €312,000 in 2018 to €4.5 million in 2023, clearly indicating that the lack of domestic treatment options is having a profound impact on individuals and their families.

Bodywhys, the national eating disorder association, has highlighted that only 11% of those affected by eating disorders in Ireland have access to adequate public treatment. Meanwhile, the economic cost of eating disorders to Ireland is estimated to be €8 billion annually, with countless lives affected due to delays in accessing proper care.

What Needs to Happen:
We urgently call on the Irish Government to:

1. Allocate immediate funding to increase the number of specialist inpatient beds for adults with eating disorders to at least 23, as recommended in the 2018 Model of Care.
2. Ensure that people with eating disorders receive care in specialized facilities rather than being placed in general psychiatric units, which lack the resources and expertise to provide effective treatment.
3. Commit to fully implementing the 2018 Model of Care, which would ensure comprehensive, timely, and life-saving treatment for those in need.

Lobbying and Email Campaign:
This petition also serves as part of a lobbying and email campaign aimed at TDs and Ministers to bring these issues to the forefront of political discussion. We urge all supporters to email Ministers and opposition TDs to demand action.

Key Targets for Lobbying:

1. Ministers of State for Mental Health, Health, and Public Health.
2. Opposition TDs, especially those with a focus on health, mental health, and social care.

By signing this petition, you are also taking part in a collective call for our leaders to:

1. Ensure proper funding for eating disorder services.
2. Raise the issue in the Dáil, particularly during health debates.
3. Advocate for urgent action from the Government to fulfill the promises made in the 2018 Model of Care.

Together, we can ensure that those suffering from eating disorders receive the specialist care they urgently need and deserve. Your voice is crucial in pushing for meaningful change that will impact the lives of countless individuals across Ireland.

Sign now to support people with eating disorders in Ireland and demand immediate action from our government.

This petition is created as part of an academic module to raise awareness about the critical shortage of eating disorder inpatient services in Ireland. As part of my campaign, I am lobbying for greater government action to increase the number of specialised adult beds, ensuring that people affected by eating disorders receive the vital care they need.