Radboudumc
Nijmegen, Netherlands
Treatment & access
- Treatments offeredesketamine (Spravato)
- Access routepublic_reimbursed
- Price informationReimbursed via Dutch basic health insurance (esketamine nasal spray for TRD)
- ReimbursementEsketamine nasal spray reimbursed from the Dutch basic insurance package since 1 Sept 2021 for treatment-resistant unipolar depression (ENC-NL); intramural dispensing only - administered under supervision in hospital, never taken home. Radboudumc is the national coordinator of ENC-NL. How reimbursement works in Europe →
- Phone024-361 35 13 option 2 (psychiatry admissions desk, Mon-Fri 08:00-12:00 / 14:00-16:00); 024-8187160 (admission coordinator / coordinating psychiatrist)
- Websitehttps://www.radboudumc.nl/patientenzorg/behandelingen/esketamine-neusspray
About this provider
Radboudumc (Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen) offers esketamine nasal spray treatment for severe unipolar, treatment-resistant depression through its Department of Psychiatry, on referral from a GP or psychiatrist. It is the national coordinator of the Esketamine Nasal Spray Consortium Netherlands (ENC-NL), which collects real-world treatment data across Dutch centres. Treatment follows a phased protocol (4 weeks twice-weekly titration, 4 weeks weekly optimisation, then a minimised maintenance frequency), always combined with an antidepressant. The department also runs rTMS, a Centre for Mindfulness (MBCT), pharmacogenetics-based personalised antidepressant advice, and a medical-psychiatric unit for complex cases.
Services & programs
- Esketamine nasal spray for treatment-resistant unipolar depression (intake, phased treatment, regular evaluation with questionnaires)
- rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) for severe/treatment-resistant depression
- Centre for Mindfulness - MBCT (reimbursed as part of treatment when a psychiatric disorder is present)
- Personalised antidepressant advice with medication review and pharmacogenetics
- Diagnostic outpatient clinic (diagnostics, treatment advice, second opinion); Medical Psychiatric Unit / High Intensive Care; addiction detoxification; dialectical schema therapy (DST) programme
Programs & studies
| Program | Kind | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ENC-NL national real-world data collection on esketamine nasal spray (Radboudumc = national coordinator); patients asked consent for pseudonymised data use | ongoing | |
| Esketamine reimbursed from basic package since 1 Sept 2021 for TRD after >=3 medication steps incl. >=1 augmentation; insurer authorisation (machtiging) copy required with referral | active |
Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Esketamine treatment | covered by Dutch basic health insurance (Zorgverzekeringswet) for eligible TRD patients |
Facilities & languages
- Facilities
- Polikliniek Psychiatrie, Reinier Postlaan 4, Nijmegen (Ingang Oost, building N, floor 0, route 961)
- Medical Psychiatric Unit (route 963), Neurobiological Treatment Unit (route 975), Centre for Mindfulness (route 974)
- Facilities designed on 'healing environment' concept
- LanguagesDutch (patient pages NL-only; hospital site has EN/DE sections)
- TeamNamed contact for esketamine consultations: Dr. H.G. (Eric) Ruhe, psychiatrist. Department of Psychiatry with admission coordinators; team size not published on treatment pages.
Common questions
Do I need a referral?
Yes - referral by GP or treating psychiatrist is required (via ZorgDomein or referral letter with full treatment history and a copy of the insurer authorisation request).
Who is eligible?
(Severe) unipolar depression with no response to at least 3 pharmacological steps with antidepressants, of which at least 1 augmentation strategy (lithium, atypical antipsychotic or mirtazapine). Not eligible: bipolar depression, MI/CVA within 6 weeks, untreated unstable hypertension, pregnancy.
How does the treatment run?
Titration phase 2x/week for 4 weeks, evaluation, then optimisation 1x/week for 4 weeks if clearly improving, then maintenance at lowest possible frequency (1x/1-3 weeks). Always combined with an antidepressant; fast 2h (no food) / 30 min (no fluids) before sessions.
What about the waiting time?
After the indication intake the clinic tries to keep the wait until treatment as short as possible; current access times are published on the hospital's 'wachttijden psychiatrie' page.
Is it covered by insurance?
Yes - esketamine nasal spray is reimbursed from the Dutch basic package since 1 September 2021 for difficult-to-treat unipolar depression; it is dispensed only intramurally via the hospital pharmacy.
Verification
- License / registryENC-NL
- Sourcehttps://enc-nl.nl/
- Last verified