AQW 44478/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 21/04/2026
Answered On Date: 15/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any tailored referral and treatment pathways that exist in Northern Ireland, for adults and young people with a learning disability and present with an eating disorder.

Answer:

Northern Ireland has a Regional Eating Disorder Care Pathway, however there is no specific referral or treatment pathways for either adults or young people with eating disorders tailored to the needs of individuals with learning disabilities (LD). The main referral route is via GP and includes initial physical and mental health assessment.

Whilst the Regional Care Pathway is not specifically tailored for adults presenting with a learning difficulty and an eating disorder, services are designed to diagnose, treat and improve the wellbeing of all those people requiring mental health care, irrespective of disability. This is in line with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as outlined in the Regional Care Pathway.

If a young person has a learning disability and professionals suspect they are struggling with an eating disorder, they may be referred to eating disorder services within CAMHS and jointly supported.

Trust	Adults	Young People
SHSCT	Follow the regional pathway; no learning disability (LD)-specific pathway.	Standard CAMHS triage. If LD is identified, CAMHS Eating Disorder team co-works with CAMHS LD services to provide tailored support.
BHSCT	Use regional pathway; not LD-specific but intended to be inclusive of all, regardless of disability.	Managed by community dietetics/paediatrics unless an eating disorder is suspected, then referred to CAMHS Eating Disorder Team. (Co-occurrence of classic eating disorders with LD is considered less common.)
SEHSCT	Managed by BHSCT services.	Referred mainly via GP to CAMHS (or occasionally paediatrics).
NHSCT	No tailored pathway. Support provided through Learning Disability multidisciplinary teams, with Eating Disorder Service input and co-working where needed.	No specific pathway for severe LD. CAMHS Eating Disorder Service supports those with mild–moderate LD.
WHSCT	No dedicated pathway. Individuals are referred to LD psychology or psychiatry services, with care delivered based on need. Typically, not seen by other specialist mental health services.	No response provided.