Image: HSE
People in Louth and Meath who recently received inpatient mental health care are being encouraged to share their experiences as part of Ireland’s first National Mental Health Experience Survey.
The survey is open to eligible adults who were discharged between April and July 2026 from participating inpatient mental health units and hospitals, including the Department of Psychiatry at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
Invitations are being sent directly to eligible participants by post.
Those invited can complete the questionnaire online using the QR code and unique survey code included in their letter, or fill out the paper questionnaire and return it by Freepost.
Participation is voluntary, confidential and anonymous.
Patients asked about every stage of their care
The National Mental Health Experience Survey is being run by the National Care Experience Programme on behalf of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commission and the HSE.
It is the first national survey focused specifically on people’s recent experiences of inpatient mental health care in Ireland.
The questionnaire contains 66 questions and asks people about their experiences from admission through to discharge and follow-up care.
Topics include care and treatment, interactions with staff, involvement of family, friends and carers, and discharge planning.
The aim is to identify both what is working well and where changes could improve the experience of people using inpatient mental health services.
Dervila Eyres of HSE Dublin and North East said feedback from people who have experienced services first-hand can provide important insight.
“We know that people’s experiences of care can offer important insight into how services can continue to improve. If you have received an invitation to this survey, we would strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to complete it.
“Your feedback, whether positive or identifying where things could be better, will help ensure that the voices of people who use mental health services in their region are heard and reflected in future improvement work.”
Drogheda among 35 participating centres
The Department of Psychiatry at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is one of 35 adult acute mental health centres participating in the survey across Ireland.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler TD said listening to people with lived experience is an important part of improving services.
“Including, valuing, and learning from the voice of lived and living experience are core principles supporting our work to improve mental health services.
“The National Mental Health Experience Survey empowers people who use services to provide valuable insights and perspectives of their own experience of inpatient mental health care.
“Acting on the feedback of people with lived and living experience is crucial to the delivery of better services, and I would encourage everyone eligible to participate in the National Mental Health Experience Survey.”
Findings to inform future improvements
John Farrelly, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission, said the survey would provide evidence about both good practice and areas requiring improvement.
“The National Mental Health Experience Survey marks a significant step forward in ensuring that the voices of people who use our mental health services are heard and acted upon. Gathering the views and insights of patients and service users is essential to understanding what is working well and where improvements are needed.
“Listening to lived experience is central to how we regulate and support services. The findings from this survey will provide important evidence to help identify good practice, highlight areas for improvement, and support services to maintain high standards and deliver safe, person-centred care across the country.”
HSE Chief Executive Officer Anne O’Connor also encouraged those who receive an invitation to take part.
“The survey will allow people to share with us how they have experienced their care and treatment in adult inpatient mental health services. This is the first survey of its kind, and I strongly encourage those who are invited to participate to take part.
“We will listen and learn from individual lived experiences and use the information to bring about effective and sustainable improvements. The active participation of service users in all aspects of mental health service improvement is an integral part of our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, and is a key focus of the HSE’s Office of Mental Health Engagement and Recovery.”
Results due in 2027
Survey responses will be anonymised and combined for analysis, meaning individual participants will not be identifiable in the published reports.
The national findings are expected to be published in April 2027 through the National Care Experience Programme website.
People who receive an invitation can find further information about the survey and how their responses will be used at the official Your Experience website.
