Galway hospital to benefit from new mental health crisis nursing team
RECRUITMENT has commenced for a new specialist out-of-hours mental health crisis nursing team at University Hospital Galway (UHG).
The new four-person team, comprising two Advanced Nurse Practitioners and two Clinical Nurse Specialists, will provide dedicated support to people presenting to the Emergency Department in mental health crisis during evenings and overnight, when demand for specialist care is greatest.
UHG is one of ten hospitals nationwide selected to receive one of these specialist out-of-hours teams, which the HSE are looking to make operational as quickly as possible.
"This is a very important investment for UHG and for people across Galway and the wider west who need urgent mental health support at some of the most difficult moments in their lives,” commented Galway East TD Seán Canney.
“Having specialist nurses available in the Emergency Department during evenings and overnight will ensure people experiencing severe distress, self-harm or suicidal thoughts receive timely, expert and compassionate care when they need it most.
"These additional staff will also provide valuable support to frontline emergency department teams while helping to improve the overall experience for patients and their families.”
The new nursing team is being funded as part of a wider programme of mental health crisis service reform supported through Budget 2026.
This includes investment in specialist hospital-based services, community Crisis Resolution Teams, Crisis Cafés and enhanced suicide prevention initiatives.
The recruitment of ten mental health crisis nursing teams nationwide was also welcomed by Deputy Pete Roche, the Fine Gael Spokesperson for Mental Health. However, he is also calling for more dedicated spaces for mental health patients in hospital emergency departments.
"When someone presents at an emergency department in the midst of a mental health crisis, they deserve the same urgency, dignity and specialist care as any other patient,” explained the Abbeyknockmoy man.
“A patient in this situation needs to be signposted immediately to relevant services. Unfortunately, too many people are left waiting for extended periods in busy and often overwhelming emergency department settings that are simply not suitable for those experiencing severe mental distress.
“Staff in our emergency departments across the country work incredibly hard to provide the best care they can for all patients, but they need the facilities to support their work.”