Recruitment is underway for a new Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) team in Kerry.
These nurses aim to provide a timely response to requests from GPs for assessment of patients in suicidal crisis.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler confirmed that the HSE is commencing recruitment for six new SCAN teams for primary care settings.
Funding was allocated under Budget 2026 and Minister Butler says she’s committed to ensuring people in mental health crisis can access the supports that they need, closer to their home.
This announcement has been welcomed by Minister for Children and Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Norma Foley and Fine Gael Senator Mike Kennelly.
Each SCAN team is made up of two senior mental health nurses at Clinical Nurse Specialist grade under the clinical governance of the National Clinical Programme for Self-harm and Suicide-related Ideation.
The 5 new SCAN teams for adult services will be located in Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Kildare and Dublin South City, while a new SCAN team for children and young people is also being recruited for Linn Dara Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services which serves young people in West Dublin, Kildare, and West Wicklow.
