Debate contribution: Regional Eating Disorder Service

Debate contribution by Mr Alan Chambers on 3 March 2026.

MLA: Mr Alan Chambers
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 3 March 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Regional Eating Disorder Service
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5434989

Text

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion. Such debates really help build better political and public understanding of what are often complex and devastating illnesses. The debate, along with the recent publicity surrounding Eating Disorders Awareness Week, will, I hope, make it a bit easier for our young people and adults who struggle with food to come forward for help. There is no shame in it, and, as MLAs, we must all work to eradicate any stigma. One of the most sobering lines in the motion concerns the rise in the number of admissions:
"the proportion of eating disorder admissions to the general adolescent inpatient unit nearly tripled between 2019 and 2024".
That should give us pause for thought.
While I welcome the fact that some stabilisation has occurred following the immediate post-pandemic surge in mental health presentations, the figures show that we have a very real and significant problem. Each admission represents a young person in real distress. Quite often, an admission represents a family in crisis, and I have witnessed the distress that families suffer. Eating disorders remain among the most serious mental health conditions. Sadly, they also have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness. Early identification and timely intervention are critical if we are to improve the long-term outcomes. That is why I have long been a believer that, when it comes to such issues, the emphasis must be on preventing crisis, rather than on simply responding to it. Thankfully, structured work has been done to strengthen services. The establishment of the regional eating disorder managed care network was a positive step in ensuring more consistent pathways, stronger workforce capability and better use of data across Northern Ireland. The development of a strategic framework and implementation plan signals an intent to move from aspiration to delivery, and, critically, to improve the work of both statutory and voluntary partners in shaping that journey. Community-based care must be central to that approach. As in so many other instances, treatment that is delivered closer to home can reduce escalation to inpatient settings. That is not only clinically appropriate but often exactly what service users and families want. However, we cannot ignore the finding of the Department's mental health strategy deliverability review. Significant financial pressures have constrained progress, including on the development of specialist eating disorder services. That is a reality facing every Stormont Department. In Health, the real-life consequences are often felt much more deeply, but, as the Minister has said before, financial pressures should not be an automatic impediment to progress. We can see what progress and reform looks like. In recent years, England has expanded community eating disorder teams for children and young people, working towards clearer waiting times, higher standards and earlier intervention models. Wales and Scotland have, similarly, increased emphasis on community-based, intensive support and strengthened clinical networks. The trajectory across the UK has been towards earlier access, specialist expertise and reduced reliance on hospital admission. That provides us, on this side of the Irish Sea, with both encouragement and a benchmark. In that context, I am happy to support the call for a clear time frame. The very least that anyone in Northern Ireland who has an eating disorder deserves is a commitment that they should be able to access the care that they need at the time that they need it. Families can feel hopeless when their family member has an eating disorder. I have seen such cases. To the families, I say this: there is hope for everyone.

592 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Awaiting analysis

This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification