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Ketamine treatment service
Find out about our paid-for ketamine treatment service for depression
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Information for carers
We ask patients coming for ketamine treatment to arrange for someone to escort them to their appointment. This page provides important information for carers.
Attending the appointment
When you bring a relative or friend for ketamine treatment you will be shown with them to a waiting room before treatment.
The team will then take the person you are accompanying through to the treatment room and you will be shown to an area where you can have a drink.
You will not be able to sit with the person while they have their treatment.
After treatment
It will be about an hour before the person you are accompanying will come and join you. They must remain with you in the department for a further hour before being assessed and allowed to go home.
Initially they may still feel a little strange; however, this will pass before they are allowed to leave the department.
After treatment people often feel tired. We encourage them to do very little for the rest of the day. They may have a headache and can take paracetamol as normal for this.
They may describe their experience to you. Sometimes treatments can be an emotional experience of release for some people and can initially feel overwhelming.
If you have concerns
If you are worried about your friend or relative, you should speak to the team in clinic about any concerns you have.
Version: Web 15 November 2018