At least €3.4 million was spent by the HSE from 2022 to 2024 on private beds for the treatment of adults with eating disorders, the Medical Independent (MI) has learned.
The total cost is likely to be higher as some regions do not track spending in this area, according to figures released under Freedom of Information (FoI).
Nationally, there are three public inpatient beds dedicated to treating adults with eating disorders, all of which are located at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin.
To compensate for this shortage, the HSE frequently purchases inpatient beds from private units. The Treatment Abroad Scheme is another way patients access inpatient care.
The Adult Mental Health Services in HSE Dublin and Midlands informed MI the records requested under FoI did not exist as “eating disorder specific spends are not tracked”.
“Moving forward in 2025, we are setting up an eating disorder specific cost centre and a mechanism to more accurately track all spend on external placements for the treatment of eating disorders.”
In another HSE region covering counties Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth, and Meath, only two areas had electronic information readily available for the years 2023 and 2024. These areas were not specified. Information that could be provided showed that at least €96,900 was spent in 2023 and €115,170 in 2024.
In Mayo, the cost of treating adult patients with eating disorders in private beds was €21,000 in 2023. No costs were incurred in 2022 or 2024.
A response from the HSE North Dublin Mental Health Service revealed some €1,621,050 was expended across the three-year period.
The cost was €418,860 in 2022; €433,810 in 2023; and €768,380 in 2024.
HSE Mental Health Services in Cork/Kerry outlined that spending was €509,578 in 2022 and 2023, with no costs incurred in 2024.
In the HSE region covering Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary, and East Limerick, total spending across 2022, 2023, and 2024 was €471,845.
Mental Health Services in Dublin South East reported costs totalling €402,731 in 2022 and €4,010 in 2023, while no expenditure was recorded in 2024.
Mental Health Community Services in Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, and Sligo stated there was “no expenditure incurred in 2023 and 2024”.
However, the service outlined that €213,920 was spent in Cavan and Donegal in 2022.
In early 2025, Dr Michelle Clifford, HSE National Clinical Lead for Eating Disorders, told MI that a review of adult bed capacity for specialist eating disorder treatment was underway.
“That will include a review of the data we have on bed usage in the HSE, the private placement and the treatment abroad. That will inform plans in terms of how best to develop and deliver beds required for adults with eating disorders.”
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