Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust - Ketamine TRD Service
Oxford
Treatment & access
- Treatments offeredIntravenous ketamine infusion for treatment-resistant depression · Oral ketamine (titration in clinic and home supply via pharmacy) · Spravato nasal esketamine · Psychiatrist assessment and scheduled reviews · Preparation sessions
- Access routeprivate_pay
- Price informationPublished prices: GBP 265 per intravenous ketamine infusion and per initial psychiatrist assessment; itemised fees for oral ketamine and nasal esketamine also listed (service pricing page)
- Phone01865 902522
- Websitehttps://oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/ips/ketamine-trd/
About this provider
The Ketamine TRD service is run by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust's Interventional Psychiatry Service at Warneford Hospital, Oxford. It is a self-pay ketamine treatment service for depression that has not responded to other treatments, with all income used to fund NHS care within the trust. Referral comes from a GP or psychiatrist; assessment meetings are usually online. Initial treatment is three to six intravenous infusions over three to six weeks, with oral ketamine or Spravato nasal esketamine available for maintenance. The service reports that about 50% of patients respond well, publishes long-term outcome data and satisfaction ratings, and advises budgeting around GBP 3,000 per year for ongoing treatment.
Services & programs
- Intravenous ketamine infusion40-minute infusions dosed at 0.5mg/kg, initially three to six infusions over three to six weeks, with longer-term maintenance treatment available; delivered in clinic bays at Warneford Hospital. GBP 265 per infusion
- Oral ketamine maintenanceOral ketamine titration in clinic followed by home supply via a pharmacy, considered 3-4 weeks after the infusion course; not offered as a standalone service. Titration session GBP 265; GBP 65 per 100ml bottle (10mg/ml); GBP 8 shipping; GBP 15 per prescription
- Spravato nasal esketamineLicensed nasal esketamine administered in clinic with a one-hour post-dose stay; available for patients who prefer it. GBP 591 per 56mg administration; GBP 754 per 84mg administration
- Assessment and reviewsInitial psychiatrist assessment (usually online) preceded by questionnaires and mood monitoring; scheduled psychiatrist reviews and optional preparation sessions. Initial assessment GBP 265; scheduled review GBP 125; preparation session GBP 50
Programs & studies
| Program | Kind | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Initial infusion course | program | available |
| Referral-based assessment | assessment | available |
| NHS-funded pathway (restricted) | program | restricted |
Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Initial assessment appointment with psychiatrist | GBP 265 |
| Each intravenous ketamine infusion | GBP 265 |
| Oral ketamine titration session in clinic | GBP 265 |
| Oral ketamine, per 100ml bottle (10mg/ml) | GBP 65 |
| Each prescription of oral ketamine or other medication | GBP 15 |
| Scheduled review with psychiatrist (up to 30 minutes) | GBP 125 |
| Preparation session | GBP 50 |
| Spravato nasal esketamine 56mg, per administration | GBP 591 |
| Spravato nasal esketamine 84mg, per administration | GBP 754 |
| Indicative annual cost | About GBP 3,000 per year |
Facilities & languages
- Facilities
- Based at Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, within an NHS hospital setting
- Treatment delivered in shared clinic bays; the service states it does not provide single rooms and accompanying persons wait separately
- Assessment meetings usually held online, with face-to-face available on request
- Payments made via the Gov.UK payment system; oral ketamine paid directly to the dispensing pharmacy
- LanguagesWebsite in English, with translation help and accessibility guidance pages provided.
- TeamNHS service run by the trust's Interventional Psychiatry Service: psychiatrists conduct assessments and reviews and set doses, with nursing support on and between treatment days; the trust holds an overall CQC rating of Good as displayed on the site.
Common questions
How much does treatment cost and what is included?
The initial psychiatrist assessment and each IV infusion cost GBP 265; reviews cost GBP 125 and preparation sessions GBP 50. Oral ketamine and Spravato esketamine are itemised separately. The service advises budgeting about GBP 3,000 per year, noting costs may exceed this.
Is it available on the NHS?
It is primarily a self-pay service; all income funds NHS care within the trust. Only patients in Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire referred by an Oxford Health consultant psychiatrist may be considered for trust-funded treatment, and the FAQ states new patients from outside those counties are no longer accepted.
How long is the waiting list?
On average, the initial consultation is booked within 3 months of the service receiving a referral, and treatment starts 1-8 weeks after the initial consultation depending on appointment availability.
How do I start?
Your GP or psychiatrist sends a referral letter and required documents by email or post; referrals from psychotherapists or psychologists are not accepted. You then complete questionnaires and daily mood monitoring before an assessment, which is usually online.
What does treatment look like?
Infusions last 40 minutes at 0.5mg/kg in a clinic bay with nursing support; friends or family wait separately. Initial treatment is three to six infusions over three to six weeks. About 50% respond well; around 10% find their first infusion unpleasant. Driving is allowed from the morning after treatment.
Verification
- License / registryPublic trial registry (ClinicalTrials.gov / EU CTIS)
- Sourcehttps://oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/ips/ketamine-trd/
- Last verified