Charity urges Swann to increase funds for ‘under pressure’ eating disorder services
HEALTH Minister Robin Swann has been urged to fund services that help people with eating disorders.
It follows a surge in cases in recent years, with campaigners claiming that many sufferers do not get the treatment they need.
Eating disorders can include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.
Last month this newspaper reported how the number of cases in Northern Ireland has almost doubled in the last seven years.
In 2011-12, 272 people were diagnosed, but that had jumped to 518 in 2018-19.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric conditions due to both physical complications and the prevalence of suicide.
The Eating Disorders Association (EDA) said the inadequate funding of both statutory and voluntary sector support services is costing lives.
Yesterday the EDA launched a manifesto, ‘Call For Action: Eating Disorders Do Not Wait’, outlining six areas of response required from the Department of Health.
Aileen Ui Dhonnghaile from the charity said people cannot reach the specialist support they need.
“Services in Northern Ireland are under crippling pressure and trust-based services can only deal with the most severe and advanced cases,” she said,
“This is leading to higher hospital admissions and ultimately costing lives as evidence shows that early intervention is critical.
“As a voluntary-based organisation, EDA is playing a crucial role by plugging the care gaps that trust services are not able to provide, but we are reaching breaking point.”
Lord Mayor of Belfast Daniel Baker (below), who hosted the event, said the stigma on mental health must be broken.
“This includes support for eating disorder sufferers and their families,” he said.
The EDA said staff have seen a growing increase in the numbers relying on their service and in many cases are providing the primary source of care for patients and their families.
Mrs Ui Dhonnghaile added: “With rising numbers and increasing referrals from GPs and community mental health assessment centres, we are struggling to meet demand.
“Previously we could have offered someone a support appointment within days but now that time frame is nearer to six weeks.
“Our manifesto sets out clearly the steps that need to be taken, including early intervention care, intensive treatment programmes, family support services and greater understanding both in the medical community and general public of what eating disorders are and how the conditions can be effectively treated.”