Support and Advise

GUH recognises the importance of your experience as a patient and those of your family and friends.

The hospitals offer many advice and support services for patients and visitors.  Here you will find information on these services and how to access them, and also ways you can get involved to help make improvements.

Bereavement Service

The role of the Bereavement Liaison Officer includes the following:-

 Providing practical and psychological support for bereaved relatives when meeting them following the death of a patient in the hospital

 Providing information for bereaved relatives and liaising with appropriate personal regarding their enquiries

 Facilitating meetings between bereaved relatives and hospital staff as requested

 Liaising with bereaved relatives and hospital staff regarding post mortem examination, organ retention and death certification

 Participating in Staff Education Sessions

 Developing policies for Galway University Hospitals as appropriate

 Linking with outside agencies providing bereavement support

The Bereavement Liaison Officer is available Monday to Friday and can be contacted by telephone on (091) 544823

Interpreting Service

Many people who use our hospitals and services do not have English as a first language. We can provide interpreters for patients and their families when they come into hospital or arrange for printed information to be translated for them. It is helpful to know in advance of an appointment so that an interpreter can be arranged. If you know that your relative or friend will need an interpreter when they come to hospital as an inpatient or outpatient it would be helpful if you could let staff know beforehand.

Spiritual Care

Roman Catholics are offered Holy Communion daily and the Blessing of the Sick.  Confession is available on request.

University Hospital Galway –

The hospital chapel at the UHG is located on the ground floor near to the new lifts.

Merlin Park University Hospital –

The hospital chapel at MPUH is located behind the main administration block.

There are hospital Chaplains who provide support for the Roman Catholic Church. The Chaplains or members of the Pastoral Care Team regularly visit the wards.  The Chaplains will contact religious and spiritual groups for any patients of other faiths.  If you would like to speak to any of the chaplains, please ask your nurse to contact them for you.

The Rector of St. Nicholas's Church, Galway, is the Church of Ireland Chaplain and may be contacted at 091-521914.

There is a chapel in the hospital grounds and people are free to visit for private prayer.  Pastoral care is available.