Young man with severe anorexia is made a ward of court

A young man with severe anorexia nervosa has been made a ward of court after being found to lack the necessary mental capacity to make informed decisions about his health and welfare.

Now in his 20s, the man has had anorexia since his teens and his current condition is such he is to be moved to a specialist eating disorder unit in the UK as soon as a bed becomes available.

His case is believed to be the first before the courts here concerning a male with anorexia. The disorder has involved him sometimes being hospitalised for long periods, his condition is regarded as severe and he was deemed last month to be detainable under provisions of the Mental Health Acts.

His parents told the High Court on Monday they are anxious their son be moved to the UK as soon as possible and fear his condition might deteriorate if there is further delay getting a bed.

It was initially hoped he would get a bed by the end of December, they were then told the end of this month and now it appeared it would be two more months, his mother said.

His father said the young man wants to engage with his treatment, wants to move to the UK unit and wants “to get better”.

Peter Finlay SC, for the HSE, said it is awaiting a reply from two particular units in the UK concerning whether a bed might be made available earlier than 7-8 weeks.

The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, made orders taking the man into wardship on foot of uncontradicted medical and psychiatric evidence as to his lack of capacity and after being told the man has withdrawn his objection to wardship.

The judge noted the man was still objecting to his parents being provided with his medical information.

Because of the finding the man lacks capacity and his being made a ward of court, the judge said he would direct the parents be given the relevant medical information and be kept up to date about their son’s condition.

Mr Finlay said, in the circumstances, the HSE was not objecting to the parents being provided with the information.

The judge also made orders permitting the man’s transfer to the UK as soon as a bed becomes available there.

While the man’s parents had suggested, as an interim measure until a UK place is available, that their son be moved to a particular hospital unit here, it was considered that would not benefit him, the judge said.

The judge directed that the man remain in the unit where he is currently placed. He also ordered nothing can be published that might identify the man or the unit.