Implementation of a ketamine programme for treatment-resistant depression in the public health system: Lessons from the first Australian public hospital clinic.

Innovative psychiatric treatments like ketamine therapy are emerging, but their resource-intensive nature makes them largely available only in the costly private sector, widening mental health inequity for those who cannot afford them. The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital's Ketamine Treatment Clinic, Australia's first public-sector clinic for complex mood disorders, offers a model. Based on three years of experience, the authors review the progress, perils, and pitfalls for clinicians and health services considering establishing a public-sector ketamine treatment service.

Study at a glance

Abstract

One could argue that we are living through a period of innovation and change in psychiatry unlike that seen before, with repurposed medications emerging as novel treatments. However, despite evidence of enhanced clinical outcomes and potential medium-term savings, delivering these promising interventions is resource-intensive and perceived as difficult in the public sector. Consequently, they are generally only available in the private sector, often at great cost, effectively making them inaccessible to the 'Have Nots'. The arrival of these paradigm-shifting treatments has inadvertently highlighted a growing mental health inequity. The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital's Ketamine Treatment Clinic was the first public-sector ketamine treatment clinic for complex mood disorders in Australia. Based on 3 years' experience establishing, developing and running a public-sector ketamine treatment service, we review the progress, perils and pitfalls for clinicians and health services contemplating establishing a public-sector ketamine treatment service of their own.