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Increased staffing needed to battle surge in eating disorders among young people

Increased staffing needed to battle surge in eating disorders among young people

Wexford needs one whole time dietician, that's according to a local TD.

Independent Deputy Verona Murphy says eating disorders in young children and teenagers are growing at an alarming rate.

A full-time pediatric dietician for the Wexford CAMHS units would help relieve the issue.

Speaking in the Dáil. Wexford TD Verona Murphy says it needs to happen:

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"Wexford needs one whole time dietician, we can't fill in. In April Minister Butler said that it was a funded position that had no response to the advertisement for the position. The Tanaiste told me in July that it again had been advertised but there was no one willing to take up the position."

The Independent Deputy also says anorexia cases are growing rapidly in society:

"It's fundamental to managing mental health that we need to match the clinical staffing requirement with the growing needs in society and that is why it is so concerning that we have such an increase in anorexia diagnosis."

For supports and to hear more about unknown eating disorders you can listen to Beat's documentary My Unknown Eating Disorder

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