Ireland has just three specialised eating disorder beds for the entire country. Despite a plan in 2018 to open 20 more beds by 2023, there are still only three, all in St Vincent’s University Hospital. Patients are left having to seek treatment in general and general psychiatric hospitals with the HSE also purchasing capacity in the private sector and abroad. Last year the HSE spent over €8m on eating disorder services in Ireland, but spent almost €5m sending patients abroad. Cian Burns reports.
