Photo/Alberta Health Services website.
A new mental health program is helping patients receive the care they need in their communities.
The Sundre Myron Thompson Health Centre has opened a ketamine infusion clinic for treatment-resistant depression.
The clinic was started by Dr. Jon Somerville who saw the potential to introduce a new treatment building that added to the skills and resources already found in rural emergency departments.
“We use ketamine for procedures in rural emergency departments, so it made sense to introduce this program in a rural setting,” Somerville said.
Although the program began in Sundre, Somerville is hopeful that it will be used as a template for similar programs in rural communities across the province.
The treatment is accessed by referral through patients’ physicians or mental health treatment providers.
Somerville calls the program a ‘reset’ for patients.
“After a series of ketamine infusions, patients may have a better response to other treatments,” he said.
The program has drawn patients from across Central Alberta, and demand for treatment has led to a similar program rolling out in Red Deer.
The program started early this year, initially for inpatients, and has since expanded to include outpatients.
“We’ve had overwhelming interest and, typically, very impressive patient responses to the treatment,” said Dan Boomer, unit manager in Recovery Alberta at Red Deer Regional Hospital, Units 34 and 36.
Chantal Crawford, site manager at the Myron Thompson Health Centre, said she’s seen a remarkable change in Sundre-area patients.
“We have patients saying they’ve gone out for supper for the first time in years and telling us we’ve changed their lives,” Crawford said. “We’re putting smiles on people’s faces.”
The treatment is given in the health centre’s emergency department by nurses.
**With information provided by Alberta Health Services
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