The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Galway University Hospital has a dedicated Medical Social Worker (MSW) service.
MSW provides a vital bridge between the medical team and the family. The role of MSW is to provide psychosocial support and practical assistance to parents navigating the high-stress environment of having a critically ill or premature infant. MSW strengthens and empowers families, encourages family resilience, and promotes positive developmental outcomes for babies through assessment, advocacy, and support.
The Medical Social Work department receives referrals from NICU through the medical team for:
- families of extreme premature babies (less than 32 weeks gestation),
- families of clinically unwell infants
- families experiencing bereavement
- families that are struggling to cope with neo natal admission due to the pre-existing stressors e.g. social isolation, lack of a formal support network, homelessness, complex relationships, low mood, financial hardship, domestic abuse, addiction, poor coping strategies, previous bereavement/grief, child protection plans etc.
