Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has opened a new clinic for people who are suffering with depression using a state-of-the-art clinically proven treatment known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS.

rTMS offers a non-pharmaceutical alternative for people who suffer from depression that has not benefited from psychological therapies, antidepressant medications or cannot tolerate antidepressant medications due to side-effects.

rTMS works by delivering short magnetic pulses over the scalp to stimulate an area of the brain that regulates mood. The procedure is non-invasive and it is generally a well tolerated treatment and therefore requires no anaesthetics or sedatives. The effectiveness of rTMS has been recognised by NICE and the Royal College of Psychiatrists who recommend rTMS as a treatment for depression.

Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Nathan Maynard says “Depression is a common disorder that can have a debilitating effect on a person’s life. The treatment options for depression have not changed for decades and I am thrilled that we can offer rTMS to NHS patients within Somerset. rTMS is safe and effective with limited side effects and can be used alongside psychological therapies and medications in patients who have not found them effective.”

The Somerset rTMS Service is based at the Wellsprings clinic located in Taunton behind Foundation House.  The team consists of experienced Psychiatrists and Registered Mental Health Nurses who will be assessing the suitability of people referred for rTMS. If they believe that rTMS would not be suitable or appropriate then they may suggest alternative treatment options within our Affective Disorder Service, led by Prof. Andreas Papadopoulos. Referral can be made by your mental health team, your GP, or your private health care provider as treatment is offered as an NHS and Private Service.

Treatment is generally an initial course of 20-30 rTMS treatments, undertaken as five, 40 minute sessions per week, typically for 2-6 weeks, followed by a taper course of 6 treatments over 3 weeks on a 3 – 2 – 1 basis.  Patients are reviewed mid-course and at the end of the course.

Our rTMS clinic was recently advertised on a BBC programme! Click here to view the segment.

Dr Maynard is a Consultant Psychiatrist with special interest in neuromodulation and endorsements in rehabilitation, and liaison psychiatry. He qualified in 2012 from Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry and completed his specialist training in psychiatry, undertaken in Bristol and Somerset, in 2020. Dr Maynard is clinical lead for Somerset NHS Foundation Trusts Neuromodulation service specialising in repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). He is an honorary lecturer at Bristol University and psychiatry clerkship lead for Bristol Medical School, Somerset Academy.

The rTMS practitioners have all had training from Dr Maynard in how to provide safe rTMS treatment, there are regular opportunities to refresh our skills within the clinic and we currently partake in regular forums with other NHS rTMS providers to discus and improve our practise. Working daily within the clinic allows staff to build a rapport with patients and provide patient centred care, making sure that the treatment is tailored to the individual.