Galway Hospice Foundation today launched its Impact Statement – Annual Report 2024, revealing that the organisation supported 1,344 patients and their families throughout 2024 — a 6% increase compared to 2023. This reflects the continued growth in demand for specialist palliative care services across Galway and Mayo. The report was presented by Chief Executive Mary Nash alongside Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton, highlighting the critical role the hospice plays in delivering compassionate palliative care across the western region.
The annual report outlines how Galway Hospice Foundation delivers on its vision to be a leading example of excellence by providing specialist palliative care services in appropriate settings to people living with advanced life-limiting illnesses. Serving a population of 408,234 across Galway and Mayo, the Foundation operates specialist palliative care services at its hospices in Renmore and Castlebar.
A significant milestone achieved in 2024 was the completion of the transition to Section 38 status in the organisation’s agreement with the HSE and Department of Health in January, providing clarity and confidence around future state funding.
Day Care services across both Galway and Mayo locations continue to serve as vital entry points for patients accessing hospice care for the first time. During 2024, 160 patients attended Day Care services, with 82 patients in Galway recording 576 attendances and 78 patients in Mayo recording 415 attendances.
The welcoming environment created by staff and volunteers helps ease initial apprehensions about palliative care while providing access to specialist nursing, medical care, and a comprehensive range of therapies including aromatherapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and art therapy.
The Inpatient services witnessed remarkable growth in 2024, with overall occupancy increasing by 10% in Galway and 25% in Mayo. The Galway Hospice Inpatient Unit, with 18 beds, cared for 340 patients throughout the year, while Mayo Hospice’s 14-bed unit, now in its fourth year of operation, supported 335 patients.
The success in facilitating home discharges remains a key achievement, with 46% of patients in Galway and 27% of patients in Mayo being discharged home or to another community-based setting. This reflects the units’ effectiveness in providing symptom management, rehabilitation, and respite care that enables patients and their carers to continue living as independently as possible.
The Community Palliative Care Team achieved exceptional outcomes in 2024, caring for 1,017 patients in their own homes and care facilities across Galway. The team, available seven days a week from 9am to 5pm, received 921 referrals, made 21,916 patient calls, and carried out 6,981 home visits throughout the year. Working closely with patients, families, GPs, public health nurses, and hospital consultants, the team provides specialist pain and symptom management alongside emotional and practical support.
The effectiveness of community care is demonstrated by the fact that 87% of patients under the team’s care died at home, fulfilling many patients’ wishes to remain in familiar surroundings during their final days.
The Medical Social Work Team provided crucial therapeutic and practical support, recording 5,973 contacts with patients and carers throughout 2024. The team delivered 674 bereavement support services, demonstrating their commitment to supporting families beyond the patient’s death. In Galway, the team facilitated 2,249 contacts with patients and 1,809 contacts with carers, while in Mayo, they maintained 1,048 patient contacts and 867 carer contacts. A significant development in 2024 was the launch of the Bereavement Café, a free service open to all adults who have experienced loss. The service provides a welcoming space for mutual support and understanding in grief.
Therapy services delivered holistic specialist palliative care to 531 patients who received 6,191 therapy sessions during 2024. Occupational therapists provided 1,868 treatments to 414 patients, while physiotherapy services delivered 2,554 treatments to 476 patients. Aromatherapy services provided 1,224 treatments across both locations, and art therapy offered 556 sessions for creative expression and emotional wellbeing.
A total of 212 volunteers continue to be integral to service delivery, with 161 volunteers supporting Galway operations and 51 contributing to Mayo services. These dedicated individuals fulfil essential roles ranging from reception duties and driving to lunch delivery and evening refreshment services, directly impacting the lives of patients, families, and loved ones.
The Foundation’s financial position in 2024 demonstrates robust sustainability with total income reaching €17,090,289 and expenditure of €14,856,002. The income structure reflects the mixed funding model that supports operations, with state funding through the HSE providing the largest contribution, supplemented by community fundraising, donations, weekly draw, and legacies. This financial stability enabled the organisation to respond to growing demand for services while maintaining the high standards of care that characterise all hospice programmes.
Expenditure allocation prioritises direct patient care, with the majority of resources directed towards Inpatient units and Community Palliative Care. The Foundation’s commitment to transparency in financial management ensures that community support translates directly into enhanced care provision for patients and families across the region.
The comprehensive nature of services provided by Galway Hospice Foundation is further evidenced by the fact that 73% of people in Galway who died with a malignant diagnosis in 2024 were cared for by the organisation, demonstrating its central role in regional palliative care provision.
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