A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for a Cork woman who fears she will die if she does not get inpatient treatment for an eating disorder.
Lisa Murphy has been battling bulimia and anorexia for over a decade.
She is currently attending an outpatients clinic in Dublin for a series of 20 sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy.
Last March, members of her family published an anonymous account of her daily struggle on social media.
Her case was also raised in the Dáil.
The Echo reports she cannot access inpatient care because she does not have health insurance and she cannot get a referral through the public system for one of only three inpatient beds for eating disorders in the country.
The cost of an inpatient private place is €60,000.
Her family and friends have set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for her private treatment.
In a statement issued to RedFM News the HSE says it cannot comment on iindividual cases but says an increase in eating disorder presentations in the context of the COVID pandemic continues to be reported both in Ireland and internationally for all ages.
Research to date has shown this is due to a combination of factors including : isolation and loneliness with restrictions, food insecurity, anxiety re exposure to frequent COVID related news, lack of structure and routine with school closures and home working, and reduced contact with mental health services.
