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A thread on how women with anorexia who asked for help were treated in Ireland’s healthcare system.
They were told their weight wasn’t low enough - the worst thing they could hear. Here are their stories
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ad6609f2-365e-11eb-9999-78711a047ec4
They were told their weight wasn’t low enough - the worst thing they could hear. Here are their stories
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ad6609f2-365e-11eb-9999-78711a047ec4
BMI measures weight v height. A BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight.
*Sinead's BMI was just under 15 when she went to A+E.
“The doctor said ‘I don’t know what you or your GP wants me to do. Your weight isn’t in the high risk category, there’s nothing I can do’
*Sinead's BMI was just under 15 when she went to A+E.
“The doctor said ‘I don’t know what you or your GP wants me to do. Your weight isn’t in the high risk category, there’s nothing I can do’
*Clare had a BMI of about 15 when she asked the psychiatrist in her community mental health team if she could get inpatient treatment.
“She said, ‘I have patients who are 13 and 14 who can’t get treatment, so why would you get it?’”
“She said, ‘I have patients who are 13 and 14 who can’t get treatment, so why would you get it?’”
Rebecca went to A+E after losing 2 stone in two months, but the psychiatrist referred her back to community services.
“I said, ‘I’m begging for help, and you’re turning me away’. He said we have too many people and not enough services, and there are people more severe than you.”
“I said, ‘I’m begging for help, and you’re turning me away’. He said we have too many people and not enough services, and there are people more severe than you.”
This was common with all the women I spoke to. They had to fight for treatment, even when underweight and ill.
They’re told to get help if they’re in trouble.
But if they live in the wrong area, when they reach out, there’s nothing there.
They’re told to get help if they’re in trouble.
But if they live in the wrong area, when they reach out, there’s nothing there.
Worth noting the women by and large appreciated healthcare staff wanted to help, but the facilities just don’t exist.
Dr Caroline Maher: “It is really distressing for us knowing that severely unwell people don’t have the services they need.”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/anorexia-patients-turned-away-for-not-being-thin-enough-lnbfv8dmm
Dr Caroline Maher: “It is really distressing for us knowing that severely unwell people don’t have the services they need.”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/anorexia-patients-turned-away-for-not-being-thin-enough-lnbfv8dmm
Eating disorder hubs were meant to be set up across Ireland, but funding was diverted last year.
To do something about this you can, as Dr Maher puts it: “Lobby those who have power.
“Write to your TD, your local councillor. Object.”
To do something about this you can, as Dr Maher puts it: “Lobby those who have power.
“Write to your TD, your local councillor. Object.”
