Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
816. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the suicide crisis assessment nurse service has been operational since the publication of the Model of Care in 2022; and if so, the reason no national data on referrals or activity was collected prior to 2025. [28145/26]
View answer817. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she accepts that the absence of SCAN data prior to 2025 represents a gap in oversight during the initial rollout phase; and the steps being taken to address this. [28146/26]
View answer822. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the key performance indicators used to measure SCAN service effectiveness; and when these will be published. [28151/26]
View answer823. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any independent evaluation or audit of the SCAN service has been conducted since its integration into the National Clinical Programme; and if not, whether one will be commissioned. [28152/26]
View answer826. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a national data system is in place to track referral pathways to suicide crisis assessment nurse services, including whether referrals originate from general practitioners, CAMHS, or Community Mental Health Teams, and if not, the timeline for its implementation. [28159/26]
View answer827. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the key performance indicators currently used to evaluate the suicide crisis assessment nurse service; and when the full national report referenced will be published. [28160/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 816, 817, 822, 823, 826 and 827 together.
The Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) service is critically important safety net for people in suicidal crisis and the Minister fully supports the intention within the second Sharing the Vision implementation plan to expand these services to provide full coverage nationwide. These services provide a timely response to requests for assessment of patients in suicidal crisis from GPs, and the assessments often take place in primary care settings.
Under Budget 2026 I secured funding to expand the SCAN service, adding an additional 6 SCAN teams and bringing the number of teams to 21 with 45 WTEs across 18 counties.
It may be of interest to note that SCAN has been the subject of a [peer-reviewed study]. This study reviewed one SCAN service in a defined catchment area, but found that the majority of presentations were managed in primary care following SCAN intervention.
Your queries relating to the key performance indicators, data collection and evaluation of the SCAN service are operational matters which have been directed to the HSE for direct response to you, as soon as possible.
