Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN)

A new service provided by Galway and Roscommon Mental Health Services went live last week. The Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) service aims to provide support to General Practitioners (GP), and patients who present to them in difficult circumstances with thoughts of suicide. Access to the service is via a single mobile phone number, this gives GPs a direct access to the SCAN allowing for speedy referral and an immediate discussion of the case.  Shaun Smith, SCAN, has taken up his new post in GUH and is working with all the Community Mental Health Teams.  The post is one of the key posts that are being implemented as part of the reconfiguration of mental health services in Galway/Roscommon.

Following referral and discussion with the GP, the SCAN will arrange to see the client at the GP surgery within the coming days.  The patient will have a complete full bio-psychosocial assessment, identifying risk factors, and supports available etc, ending finally with an agreed plan of care aimed at alleviating the crisis and supporting longer term stability.

Catherine Cunningham, Galway Roscommon Area Manager, welcomed the new service saying, “In Ireland, the majority of individuals experiencing mental health problems will visit their General Practitioner (GP) and will remain exclusively under their care. People are generally much more comfortable with being seen in this environment, however, in the past GPs had no other choice but to refer individuals with mental health problems to specialist mental health services.  These are often based in the local hospital, with individuals often uncomfortable or unwilling to engage.  This new SCAN service allows GPs to get professional, specialist mental health advice for their patient in the GP practice or the patient’s home – a major development for patients with mental health difficulties.”

View more information here

National Office for Suicide Prevention