We provide a 3-week course of low-dose intravenous ketamine treatment for eligible consumers with difficult-to-treat depression.
Key points
- Referrals can only be accepted from a person's treating psychiatrist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) or Western Health mental health services
- Low-dose ketamine is a novel treatment that has been found to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms in people with difficult-to-treat depression
- Available to eligible consumers aged 25 to 65 years with difficult-to-treat depression
What we do
The Advanced Interventions in Mood Disorders (AIM) Clinic is currently providing a 3-week course of low-dose intravenous ketamine treatment for eligible adults with difficult-to-treat depression.
Low-dose ketamine is a novel treatment that has been found to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms in people with difficult-to-treat depression.
Intravenous ketamine treatment is provided twice a week for 3 weeks at the AIM Clinic located at the RMH Parkville.
Who can use our service
The AIM Clinic ketamine treatment service is only available to eligible consumers who:
- Are currently receiving treatment at the RMH or Western Health mental health services
- Are aged 25 to 65 years
- Have difficult-to-treat depression
Note that the RMH or Western Health mental health services will not be accepting referrals for ketamine treatment. Consumers must already be receiving other treatments at the services.
Eligibility assessment
Other eligibility criteria apply. Once a referral is accepted, consumers will be assessed at the AIM Clinic to ensure they are eligible to receive treatment.
Referrals
We accept referrals for consumers of the RMH and WH mental health services only
Referrals can only be accepted from a person's treating psychiatrist at the RMH or Western Health mental health services.
The AIM Clinic Ketamine Treatment service is not able to respond to direct enquiries from people in the community seeking referral information. Contact your treating team if you are interested in being referred to this service.
Psychiatrists from the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Western Health mental health services can contact the AIM Clinic to request a referral form and a copy of the ‘Referral Information Brochure’ that includes the consumer eligibility criteria.