Galway Mental Health Unit Found Critically Non-Compliant in Latest Inspection
The Mental Health Commission (MHC) has found the Adult Acute Mental Health Unit at University Hospital Galway to be critically non-compliant with a number of key regulations following its latest inspection.
The inspection which was carried out over four days in March 2025, found that the unit was only 83% compliant with mental health regulations, a notable drop from 92% compliance the previous year.
Inspectors identified six areas of non-compliance, four of which were rated as critical risk, the highest category applied by the Commission.
The most serious issues related to privacy, premises, risk management procedures and the rules governing the use of seclusion.
The inspection report highlighted ongoing concerns around resident privacy, noting that single bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms in the hospital had no internal locks.
Resident feedback gathered through service-user questionnaires revealed ongoing privacy concerns.
“One resident said they felt safe only at times, explaining that people occasionally entered their room by accident and that they had never been told their bedroom door could not be locked,” stated the report.
Serious safety failings were also uncovered by the MHC inspection team in relation to fire protection and risk management.
Multiple fire doors were not operating as intended, significantly undermining the building’s fire safety systems.The doors had not been inspected by a specialist within the required six-month timeframe, three months overdue at the time of inspection.
“On inspection, it was observed, that eight different fire doors did not fully close upon release from an open position,” the report detailed.
These issues, combined with missing details in personal evacuation plans and the absence of night-time fire drills, led the Commission to describe the risk as critical.
The report found the Rules Governing the Use of Seclusion were not being fully met. While seclusion rooms were structurally appropriate, they lacked an intercom system, meaning staff could not hear or communicate with secluded residents at all times.
“The intercom equipment for communication by staff with individuals in seclusion was not in existence. There was no intercom system in place for observation by staff within sight and sound of an individual in seclusion,” stated the report.
Two additional areas, individual care planning and general health assessments were rated as moderate and low risk.
Inspectors noted that while most care plans were well-documented, some were not reviewed or updated by the full multidisciplinary team.
In a small number of cases, residents’ physical health checks were incomplete, with missing information such as weight or medication reviews.
Despite the shortcomings, inspectors praised several areas of good practice within the unit. They noted a calm, therapeutic environment supported by strong teamwork and ongoing quality improvement initiatives, including the SafewardsModel, which promotes collaboration and reduces conflict.
Staff training compliance remained high and the inspection team commended the commitment and professionalism of the workforce.
In response to the findings, the HSE received an Immediate Action Notice from the Mental Health Commission on March 31, 2025, requiring urgent measures to address the identified risks.
A corrective action plan has since been submitted, outlining steps to improve fire safety oversight, review privacy arrangements and enhance risk management processes.
As Galway’s main mental health facility works to rebuild trust and meet the standards expected of it, the focus now turns to whether lasting change can truly take root, ensuring that every person receiving care in Galway is treated with the safety, respect and dignity they deserve.
