Hsemw, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Mental Health, Suicide Crisis Assessment Traveller

The HSE Mid-West are delighted to be involved in developing this Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) service dedicated to the traveller community, this will provide timely access to assessment and treatment for the traveller community in Limerick.

The Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community Report on Traveller Health April 2026 expressed particular concern about the prevalence of suicide in the Traveller community. The report notes that analysis of Exchange House’s surveillance system shows suicide deaths in the Traveller community are eight times higher for Traveller men and 15 times higher for Traveller women compared to the general population.

The Join committee recommends enhanced implementation of Traveller-specific crisis response capacity and permanent funding of Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses (SCAN) to ensure universal access for all Travellers across the country.

The successful candidates will be integral to the establishment of this new service.