Roscommon to benefit from new adult eating disorder team co-located with CAMHS

In a significant development for the mental health services in the West of Ireland, the Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, has confirmed that Roscommon will benefit from a new specialist eating disorder team based in Galway.

This new adult team, part of a nationwide expansion under Budget 2026, will help provide vital care and support for people suffering from eating disorders in the region.

The new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) eating disorder team will be based in Waterford to serve the South East of the country, and the new adult team will be based in Galway to serve counties Galway and Roscommon.

The announcement was made during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, an initiative aimed at raising awareness and providing support for individuals affected by eating disorders.

"I am really pleased to confirm new eating disorder teams for the South East based in Waterford and for Galway/Roscommon," said Minister Butler.

"These multidisciplinary teams will support children and adults with eating disorders, working to assess people’s needs, diagnose eating disorders, and commence person-centred treatment based on a variety of evidence-based interventions."

The new adult service being co-located with the existing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) team in Galway offers a smoother transition for young people as they move into adult services.

This model ensures continuity of care for patients, a crucial aspect of treating eating disorders, which often require long-term management and support.

"Locating the Adult team in Galway now provides the opportunity to co-locate the service with the existing CAMHS eating disorder team," the Minister explained.

"This allows for smooth transitions between the two services when required, which is a key part of our broader plan to improve care for those affected by eating disorders."

The new teams are part of the wider rollout of the HSE’s National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders.

Under this programme, a total of 16 community-based teams are being established across Ireland, with 11 teams already operational and the remaining five set to be fully recruited by 2027.

Minister Butler highlighted that the expansion of these services is a significant step towards addressing the needs of individuals with eating disorders across the country.

"Eating disorder teams have greatly supported early recognition of eating disorders in Ireland, and are providing swifter access to specialist services, with 75% of patients being assessed within eight weeks," she said.

The government has invested over €14 million annually in specialist eating disorder care, with an additional €3 million allocated this year.

Minister Butler also announced plans to develop three regional adult eating disorder inpatient centres in Cork, Dublin, and the North West, further expanding access to specialist inpatient care.

"Improving access to these specialist services is an absolute priority for me," said Minister Butler.

"I am determined to build on the progress made with the Programme to date to deliver quality eating disorder services to people who need them, and the two new additional teams I have announced today will make a big difference in achieving that objective."

For residents of Galway and Roscommon, this marks a long-awaited improvement in local mental health services.

A total of 16 teams are now funded with 11 teams currently operational. Over 110 specialist eating disorder clinicians now working in newly established network of eating disorder services across the country.