‘We’re putting smiles on people’s faces’

Sundre offers ketamine as an option for treatment-resistant depression

Story by Gayleen Froese

SUNDRE — Travel can sometimes feel like a barrier to care, but thanks to a new mental health program, more patients are getting the care they need in the communities where they live.

With this goal in mind, the Myron Thompson Health Centre in Sundre has opened a ketamine infusion clinic for treatment-resistant depression.

The clinic was started by Dr. Jon Somerville — who appreciates the difference ketamine can make for rural mental health patients — and who decided Sundre would be an ideal place to establish it.

“We use ketamine for procedures in rural emergency department, so it made sense to introduce this program in a rural setting,” says Dr. Somerville, who saw the potential to introduce a new treatment building upon the skills and resources already found in rural emergency departments.

Though the program started in Sundre, it’s hoped success will be a template for similar programs in other areas of Alberta, including more rural communities.

The treatment is accessed by referral through patients’ physicians or mental health treatment providers.

Ketamine infusions often have a fast effect on depression that hasn’t responded to other treatments. Although the effect of an infusion typically lasts a few weeks at most, a series of infusions can create what Dr. Somerville calls a ‘reset’.

“After a series of ketamine infusions, patients may have a better response to other treatments,” he adds.

Sundre’s ketamine infusion program has drawn patients from across central Alberta — and demand for this treatment has led to a similar program rolling out in Red Deer. The program started early this year, initially for inpatients only. It has since been expanded to include outpatients.

“We’ve had overwhelming interest and, typically, very impressive patient responses to the treatment,” says 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, says she’s seen a remarkable change in Sundre-area patients after one or more infusions.

The infusions are given in the health centre’s emergency department by nurses who’ve been trained on ketamine policies and procedures. Unlike some other ketamine treatment programs, participants are able to come in as outpatients.

“We have patients saying they’ve gone out for supper for the first time in years and telling us we’ve changed their lives,” says Crawford.

“We’re putting smiles on people’s faces.”