University Hospital Galway (UHG) is a central part of the Saolta University Health Care Group, serving as a major healthcare provider in Galway, Ireland. It provides comprehensive services including emergency medicine, acute medicine, surgery, critical care, and a wide range of specialized medical services. The hospital is a designated centre for cancer and cardiac care, reflecting its role in providing tertiary referral services within the Saolta Group.

UHG also holds a significant place in medical education and training, recognized for Higher Medical Training in all specialties. This status underscores its involvement in continuous learning and development within the healthcare sector. The hospital has also made notable advancements in treatment methods, such as reaching significant milestones in prostate cancer treatment and implementing innovative care models in respiratory diseases.

The hospital operates under the ethos of continuous improvement, engaging in regular reviews and audits to enhance care delivery and patient safety. This commitment is part of a broader strategy to ensure compliance with national healthcare standards and to foster a culture of patient-centered care.

University Hospital Galway (UHG) offers a wide range of specialized services and treatments, making it a key healthcare institution in the west of Ireland. As part of the Saolta University Health Care Group, UHG provides high-level medical care across numerous specialties. Some of the key services and facilities include advanced diagnostic imaging, state-of-the-art operating theaters, intensive care units, and rehabilitation services. UHG also features specialized units for cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, pulmonology, dermatology, nephrology, obstetrics and gynecology, and endocrinology.

Moreover, the hospital is recognized for its commitment to patient-centered care and its efforts in education and research, supporting its status as a major teaching hospital. The hospital's infrastructure supports complex surgeries and advanced treatments, facilitated by modern medical technologies and dedicated research and educational facilities​.

UHG also has specific programs for managing conditions like COPD and asthma through its Integrated Care Hubs, which significantly reduce waiting times for patients​​. Additionally, its Radiation Oncology team has reached significant milestones in treatments like prostate seed implantation, a type of radiation therapy​​.

The quality of care at University Hospital Galway (UHG) has been scrutinized in various reports, highlighting significant issues that impact patient safety and care standards.

One major issue reported by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) concerns the Emergency Department (ED) at UHG, which suffers from severe overcrowding. This situation compromises patient privacy and dignity, as it leads to patients being accommodated on trolleys and chairs in close proximity, allowing personal conversations to be overheard by others. Moreover, the overcrowded conditions contribute to long wait times and inadequate patient flow, which ultimately affects the delivery of timely medical care​​.

Additionally, a specific investigation following the tragic case of Savita Halappanavar at UHG revealed systemic failures in recognizing and responding to her deteriorating health during her care at the hospital. The investigation highlighted a broader issue with how clinical observations are monitored, the significance of these observations, and the actions taken on them. It revealed that UHG lacked effective clinical arrangements to ensure proper patient care, pointing to substantial failures in management, governance, and delivery of maternity services that were not consistent with best practice. The report also emphasized the need for improvements across all maternity hospitals in Ireland to ensure a consistently high standard of care​​.

These reports suggest a need for substantial improvements in both the emergency services and maternity care at UHG to enhance the overall quality and safety of the care provided.

The strategic direction and purpose of University Hospital Galway, as part of the Saolta University Health Care Group, emphasizes delivering high-quality, patient-centered care through collaboration and integration with community health services. The strategy for 2019-2023 includes goals such as improving patient access, quality, and safety, enhancing staff skills, and fostering innovation and education in partnership with academic institutions. The group aims to streamline care delivery and maximize capacity across its hospitals to better meet the health needs of the regional population​​.

University Hospital Galway (UHG) has garnered significant recognition through the Saolta University Health Care Group Staff Recognition Awards, reflecting its commitment to healthcare excellence and innovation. Over the years, various departments and individuals at UHG have been honored for their outstanding contributions in areas ranging from patient care to clinical and non-clinical innovation.

Some key recognitions include:

• The Maternity Department received the 'Award for Innovation in a Non-Clinical Area' for their comprehensive online maternity services.
• The Patient Flow Improvement Team was awarded the 'Quality Improvement and Patient Experience Award' for their efforts in enhancing hospital efficiency and patient satisfaction.
• Notable individual awards were given for exceptional service, such as the 'Outstanding Employee Award' presented to a staff member in the bed management office for their dedication to patient advocacy and effective communication.
• The Urology Department received international acclaim, winning a prestigious award at the European Association of Urology Nursing Conference for their work in clinical-academic partnerships.
• The Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service at UHG was recognized as the best team, celebrated for their comprehensive approach to diabetes management and prevention of sight-threatening conditions.

These accolades highlight UHG's role as a leading healthcare provider, not only in Ireland but on an international stage, with a strong focus on innovation, quality improvement, and exceptional patient care​​.