Spaarne Gasthuis
Haarlem, Netherlands
Treatment & access
- Treatments offeredesketamine (Spravato)
- Access routepublic_reimbursed
- Price informationReimbursed via Dutch basic health insurance (esketamine nasal spray for TRD)
- ReimbursementMember of Esketamine Neusspray Consortium (ENC-NL); esketamine covered per ENC-NL protocol How reimbursement works in Europe →
- Phone+31 23 224 00 30
- Websitehttps://www.spaarnegasthuis.nl/api/v1/patient-folders/download?title=Esketamine+neusspray+-+aanvullende+informatie&number=dsg-1542&fileId=2afba9a8-d1d0-408f-b1e6-85341194918f&openAsPdf=true
About this provider
Spaarne Gasthuis offers esketamine nasal spray for severe depression where antidepressants have not helped, delivered as part of a scientific study for which patients give separate consent to anonymised data collection. The course starts with appointments on the psychiatric nursing ward; later, in consultation, sessions can move to day treatment at the psychiatry outpatient clinic. The usual schedule is twice weekly for the first four weeks, then tapering to weekly or fortnightly. Patients spray the medication themselves and stay at least two hours in the treatment room under nursing supervision, with regular blood pressure checks and questionnaires before and after sessions. Locations are Haarlem Zuid, Haarlem Noord and Hoofddorp.
Services & programs
- Esketamine nasal spray treatment prescribed by the hospital psychiatrist, delivered within a scientific research protocol
- Sessions on the psychiatric nursing ward, with the option later in treatment of day treatment at the psychiatry outpatient clinic
- Nurse supervision with at least two hours of in-hospital observation and regular blood pressure measurement per session
- Questionnaire-based monitoring before and after treatments
Common questions
What are the preparation rules?
No alcohol for 24 hours before treatment, no benzodiazepines for 24 hours before (and 24 hours after), no food for 2 hours before, no other nasal spray within 1 hour before, and nothing to drink for 30 minutes before. Afterwards you may not drive or cycle for 24 hours, so arrange to be picked up, or travel by taxi or public transport.
What does a session look like?
You spray the esketamine yourself, then stay at least two hours in the treatment room where a nurse supervises you and watches for side effects; blood pressure is measured regularly. The hospital advises bringing earplugs or headphones with music and wearing comfortable clothing. Side effects usually lessen within one hour and have mostly resolved after two.
Is the treatment reimbursed?
Esketamine nasal spray is an expensive medicine given here as part of a scientific study, and per the hospital's folder not all insurers reimburse it; your doctor and nurse know which insurers do. If your insurance does not cover it, the treatment unfortunately cannot go ahead, and the hospital warns against switching insurer during treatment.
Who do I contact with questions?
The psychiatry outpatient clinic, weekdays 08:00-16:30, on (023) 224 0030 (or psychiatrie@spaarnegasthuis.nl); evenings, nights and weekends via the psychiatric nursing ward on (023) 224 4291. Questions about the study go to the Spaarne Gasthuis researcher via the same clinic number.
Verification
- License / registryENC-NL
- Sourcehttps://enc-nl.nl/
- Last verified