Carers

Important information for carers

We ask patients coming for ketamine treatment to arrange for someone to escort them to their appointment. This page provides information for those who are supporting patients.

Attending the appointment

When you bring a relative or friend for ketamine treatment you will be shown with them to the waiting area before treatment begins. A member of the team will then take the patient through to the treatment room.

The waiting area also serves as a coffee room for patients. To ensure privacy and comfort for those recovering from treatment, this space is reserved for patients only.

While the infusion is taking place, you will not be able to sit with the patient in the treatment room. If you wish to remain nearby, you are welcome to wait in the café or in the clinic corridors until the treatment has finished.

After treatment

It will be about an hour before the person you are accompanying will finish having their treatment. They must remain in the department for a further hour before being assessed and allowed to go home.

Initially they may still feel a little strange; however, this will pass before they are allowed to leave the department.

After treatment people often feel tired. We encourage them to do very little for the rest of the day. They may have a headache and can take paracetamol as normal for this.

They may describe their experience to you. Sometimes treatments can be an emotional experience of release for some people and can initially feel overwhelming.

If you have concerns

If you are worried about your friend or relative, you should speak to the team in clinic about any concerns you have.