To Increase Availability Of Innovative Depression Treatment
London-based Smart TMS has announced that it will be working in partnership with Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) to increase the provision of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment for depression (rTMS).
rTMS is a clinically proven, non-invasive treatment which utilises the power of magnetic energy to directly stimulate precisely targeted areas of the brain. It was approved as a safe alternative to antidepressants by NICE in 2015 and studies have shown 1 in 3 patients experience complete remission after six weeks.
Despite this the treatment is currently not widely available in the UK with just two NHS trusts and a handful of private clinics offering the service.
The alliance will see Smart TMS working with NHFT to increase the availability of the treatment in both London and Northampton and eventually nationwide for both NHS and private patients. The partnership will see sharing of best practice learning, as well as resources, to deliver an excellent experience for patients wherever they are treated.
Smart TMS Chief Executive Gerard Barnes commented:
“Smart TMS is very pleased to be working with NHFT. As the treatment is relatively new and unknown in the UK, this partnership will enable us to bring this treatment to a much wider audience, including NHS patients as well as private.”
“In future, we anticipate that we will have the opportunity to expand the clinic network and make the treatment available in more cities across the UK. There is a desperate need for viable alternatives to treating depression without the unpleasant side-effects of medication or the risks of more invasive treatments. We see an exciting future for rTMS in the UK.”
Dr Alex O’Neill Kerr, medical director of NHFT commented:
“rTMS is a true technological breakthrough which offers patients a new treatment option that is both safe and effective. It is non-invasive and involves no medication, sedation, anesthesia or surgery making it a very attractive alternative to antidepressants. Apart from some discomfort at the stimulating site and occasional headaches there are no long-term side effects and it avoids the side-effects often associated with antidepressants.”
rTMS
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation uses pulses of magnetic energy to activate or suppress the brain centres associated with several medical and psychiatric disorders (see accompanying fact sheet for more information)
Smart TMS
Smart TMS is a specialist provider of TMS treatment in London. They are affiliated with and located within The Smart Clinics at their South Kensington/Brompton Cross centre, where patients can also access a range of healthcare services including private GPs, counselling, specialists and complementary therapies.
For any queries or to book an appointment, please contact Smart TMS on:
Tel: 0345 222 5678
Email: info@smarttms.co.uk