Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (Interventional Psychiatry Service)

Overview

The Interventional Psychiatry Service (IPS) is a specialist clinical service provided by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust that offers ketamine-based treatments for people with treatment-resistant depression. The service operates within the NHS framework and uses income from self-pay treatments to support NHS care across the Trust. The IPS provides assessment, clinic-based infusions and oral ketamine pathways, and publishes detailed patient information and consent materials.

The clinic emphasises clinical governance and safety, including formal policies on payments, cancellations and follow-up, and is accredited through standard NHS quality processes referenced on the site.

Best for

This service is best suited for adults with treatment‑resistant depression who are being considered for ketamine or esketamine (Spravato) therapy, and for people willing to attend clinic-based infusion appointments or follow the oral ketamine pathway managed in conjunction with a pharmacy provider. It is offered as a self-pay option and is integrated into NHS care pathways.

• People with treatment‑resistant depression (TRD)
• Patients referred for specialist interventional psychiatry assessment

Approach

The service provides an initial psychiatric assessment followed by either intravenous ketamine infusions or an oral ketamine pathway. Infusions are delivered in clinic by the IPS team; oral ketamine is provided via an external pharmacy (PCCA) with payment and shipping arranged directly with that supplier. The site also lists Spravato (nasal esketamine) administrations as an available formulation.

Treatment typically begins with a structured assessment with a psychiatrist, followed by scheduled infusion or administration appointments and planned reviews. The service manages logistics for medication, prescribings and follow-up care, and enforces policies on payment and missed appointments.

Education and Training

The IPS is part of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and operates under NHS clinical governance. The site links to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) information and displays a CQC rating; this demonstrates alignment with recognised UK healthcare quality standards. Clinical staff are described as psychiatrists and specialist team members within the Trust (detailed staff credentials are available in linked materials/PDF).

Support

Clients receive pre-treatment information, consent material and procedural guidance; the website provides a downloadable full information PDF containing the text used for consent. The service outlines cancellation and payment policies, and requires payment for missed appointments or late cancellations. Contact routes (email and phone) are provided for booking and queries.

The service maintains safety and follow-up processes typical of an NHS specialist clinic, including documented cancellation fees and a policy to withhold further treatment until outstanding payments are settled.

Practical details

Sessions are offered in person at IPS clinic locations managed by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. The service operates a self-pay ketamine pathway; all income from self-pay treatments funds NHS care within the Trust. Oral ketamine medication is supplied by an external pharmacy (PCCA) and must be paid to PCCA prior to shipment. The website lists current fees and notes an update to fees effective 1 April 2026. Contact is available by email and telephone, and key documents (including a full information PDF) are published on the site.

• Format: In-person clinic-based infusions; oral ketamine + shipping via PCCA
• Languages: English
• Cost tier: mid-range (session fees listed around £225–£265; Spravato costs listed separately)

This description was generated based on information from the official website and other materials provided by the provider.