HSA probes psychiatric 'war zone' at Galway hospital
Staff at Galway’s main psychiatric unit claim it resembles a war-zone with “dangerously low” staffing levels and “alarming overcrowding” of mental health patients at risk of suicide.
Twice this month high-risk suicidal patients absconded from the Acute Psychiatric Unit of University Hospital Galway, according to staff – one resulted in a tragic death; a tragedy was narrowly averted in the second case.
In the same week when at least five suicides were recorded in Galway, workers at the psychiatric unit of UHG have taken the unprecedented step of pleading with Health and Safety Authority to intervene. The HSA confirmed it has received complaints about the unit.
The letter, seen by the Galway City Tribune, calls for a HSA audit of staffing levels at the unit at UHG.
It claims:
■ ongoing dangerously low day and night staff levels
■ suicidal patients absconded from the unit in May
■ activities area is closed depriving patients of necessary activities
■ no senior nurses to manage the wards
■ staff morale is low
■ high levels of sick leave among staff and unacceptably high levels of stress
■ staff have been seriously assaulted
“The short staffing situation is an ongoing problem and there are occasions where even nursing agencies are unable to provide staff for the ward.
“It is imperative that a health and safety audit on staffing levels be carried out immediately as there is much fear among staff for their safety and welfare at work due to the volatile nature of the work and the continuing short staffing situation,” the letter said.
There are currently 46 patients in the unit, which is designed for 42, said Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on mental health Colm Keaveney.
For more on this story, see this week's Galway City Tribune