Practical Aspects of ECT

Abstract

The Royal College of Psychiatrists recommends that a specially designated space for ECT treatment should be available (ECTAS, 2018). As the number of patients being referred for ECT continues to decline (Buley et al ., 2017) the availability of ECT for patients who require it may be compromised. The College ECT Committee is supportive in helping clinics to find alternative treatments for depression which may be delivered in the ECT centre. A number of centres already provide additional services to ECT, for example clozapine and depot clinics. ECT clinics are also used for the delivery of rTMS (Chapter 15) and ketamine infusions (Chapter 17).