UHG to open 'new' Psychiatric Unit seven years after it was built
Management at University Hospital Galway (UHG) are to consider bringing back into commission a €2.5 million ‘high observation’ unit next to the Acute Psychiatric Unit which has not been used for purpose since it was built seven years ago.
In a statement issued yesterday, HSE (West) management said they would consider commissioning the state-of-the-art unit following a commitment to employ eight new psychiatric nurses.
A report published just days ago by the Mental Health Services Inspector found that the €2.5 million unit was being used as office space in mid-March.
“Regrettably, the newly constructed eight-bed high observation area remained unopened and was currently being used by the psychology department as office space,” said the report.
The report also expressed concern that security personnel were involved in physically restraining patients at the Acute Unit.
The facility, along with the existing Psychiatric Unit, has been earmarked for demolition when a brand new 50 bed unit opens on the site of an existing car park in the UHG grounds. Planning permission for the new facility was granted by Galway City Council in April of last year.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for the HSE said additional staff had been rostered, including 12 nursing staff who had been relocated from Ballinasloe since the visit of the Mental Health Commission in March. She said a further eight new nursing posts had been approved for permanent appointment at the unit, with three new staff members set to be appointed by the start of September.
“The high observation ward has not been commissioned yet however this will be examined in the context of new staff being employed and the ever changing clinical needs of the patients,” said the spokesperson.
“The ward is a fully functioning clinical area where clinical psychologists assess and treat patients. Security staff are used in assisting staff in emergency situations only and appropriate training is provided.”
The threat of strike action at the Acute Psychiatric Unit was averted two weeks ago when management followed through on their undertaking to appoint eight new nurses. Members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) had voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action following concerns over staffing issues at the unit.