HSE hiring musicians to deliver therapy sessions for mental health patients in Galway
The HSE is seeking tenders for the delivery of music therapy services across Galway, which will involve listening, instrument playing, improvisation, and songwriting activities
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is hiring specialists to provide music therapy sessions for mental health service users in Galway, which it says will support emotional wellbeing, social connection, and recovery.
The service will be provided at a range of locations across the city and county, including the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at Galway University Hospital (GUH), and the Woodview residential unit in Merlin Park.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said the music therapy sessions would provide individuals with opportunities to express themselves in ways that may be difficult through words alone, while fostering confidence and creativity.
“Feedback suggests that music therapy helps reduce feelings of isolation and creates opportunities for communication, self-expression, and positive social engagement,” she said.
The HSE is currently seeking tenders for a contract to deliver music therapy services in Galway through a tailored combination of listening, instrument playing, improvisation, and structured songwriting activities.
The programme is designed to support individuals recovering from acute mental health conditions at GUH, Woodview, Danesfield House on Sea Road, and Céim Eile Day Service Centre at Merlin Park.
The service will also be provided for individual sessions at agreed locations, and time spent reviewing clinical notes, liaising with staff, and setting up instruments will also be covered in a contract for around 333 hours per annum for up to four years.
Weekly group sessions are planned for Woodview on Thursdays, at the inpatient unit on Wednesdays, while times for sessions at community centres will be agreed with the successful contractor.
In addition to group workshops, the specialist will also conduct one-to-one sessions lasting between 60 minutes and 90 minutes over an eight-week period following referrals from consultant psychiatrists and multidisciplinary teams.
“Music therapy is a clinical, evidence-based intervention that uses music and musical engagement to support emotional wellbeing, communication, social connection, and recovery,” said the HSE spokeswoman.
“[It] complements other therapeutic interventions and contributes to a recovery-focused model of mental health care. Its value lies not only in supporting symptom management but also in enhancing quality of life, promoting personal strengths, and supporting individuals to build meaningful connections with others.”