Support grows to fast-track UHG upgrades and mental health A&E

EFFORTS to fast-track major upgrades at University Hospital Galway (UHG) received more political support this week, as Galway City Councillors backed efforts to have planned upgrades at the hospital designated as “critical infrastructure” under forthcoming legislation.

Published 20th May 2026, 16:30 BST Efforts to fast-track major upgrades at University Hospital Galway (UHG) have received more political support. | Connacht Tribune EFFORTS to fast-track major upgrades at University Hospital Galway (UHG) received more political support this week, as Galway City Councillors backed efforts to have planned upgrades at the hospital designated as “critical infrastructure” under forthcoming legislation. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

Councillors also backed calls from bye-election candidate Cllr Helen Ogbu (Lab) to consider a dedicated mental health emergency department as part of future development plans for the hospital campus.

The move comes as the family of Adam Loughnane continues their campaign for separate mental health A&E units following his death last year.

He died on February 11, 2025, after attending UHG while experiencing suicidal distress. According to his family, Adam was waiting in the emergency department, before leaving the hospital grounds and entering the River Corrib.

When the Critical Infrastructure Bill comes to pass, it is important that UHG is right up there on the list.

Since his death, they have campaigned nationally for dedicated mental health A&E units, arguing that people in acute psychological distress should not be treated in overcrowded general emergency departments. The campaign has received widespread support.

Ahead of the Galway West bye-election polling day on Friday, Adam’s brother Joe Loughnane called on candidates to follow the City Council and support the proposal.

“Our campaign has continuously pointed out that Adam’s death was not the fault of any one staff member,” Joe said.

The system failed him. The medical professionals who tried to help Adam are over-worked, under-paid and under-staffed. They can only do so much with the facilities provided to them.

“If Adam had been advised to attend a more appropriate setting for someone experiencing a mental health crisis, I genuinely believe he would still be here today.”

Mr Loughnane said his brother “had done everything right” but was ultimately “failed when he needed help the most”.

“Adam’s death has shone a light on an experience shared by thousands of families across the country. People in suicidal distress being ignored and stigmatised by inappropriate healthcare environments providing inadequate care,” he said.

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“This has to be the line in the sand. We have the funding, the buildings and the people to create separate, dedicated emergency spaces for patients experiencing a mental health crisis.

“The only thing stopping our proposals becoming a reality is a lack of political will on the government’s part and a lack of concern for emergency mental healthcare on the part of HSE leadership.”

We need a dedicated mental health emergency department. This is coming up strongly on the doorsteps,” she said.

Speaking at the City Council meeting, Cllr Ogbu said the lack of dedicated emergency mental health facilities needed to be addressed.

“We need a dedicated mental health emergency department. This is coming up strongly on the doorsteps,” she said.

Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF) said the proposal aimed to fast-track major healthcare projects at UHG under the Critical Infrastructure Bill.

“When the Critical Infrastructure Bill comes to pass, it is important that UHG is right up there on the list,” he said.

“It is vital that projects are fast-tracked for the UHG site and this will be of long-term benefit to the campus.”

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During the debate, several councillors raised concerns about whether critical infrastructure designation could impact future helipad plans.

However, Galway City Council Chief Executive Leonard Cleary said the proposal was simply a call for government investment and would not interfere with separate planning processes.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Crowe said it would “send out a message to society that we are supportive of developing the necessary infrastructure on site”.

“It is a designated Model 4 hospital but we have no PET scanner on site,” he said.

“The HSE has spent enormous money securing regular scans for public patients in the private healthcare sector. This motion is calling for the site to be designated as critical infrastructure.”

The proposal, which includes support for a dedicated mental health emergency department at UHG, was passed and follows a similar move by Galway County Council.

Last month, elected representatives agreed to call on the government to designate the hospital as critical infrastructure under the Critical Infrastructure Bill, following a proposal from Cllr Noel Thomas (Ind Ire).

Related topics: UHG Emergency Departments Galway West Mental Health City Council Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.