NHS Grampian steps up action to reduce ketamine-related harm

NHS Grampian is stepping up efforts to reduce ketamine-related harm with the launch of a specialist new Ketamine Bladder Clinic at the same time as a new social media campaign targeting 13 to 25-year-olds gets underway to raise awareness of the serious health risks associated with taking the drug.

While NHS Grampian’s urology service cares for anyone with acute bladder problems, the new clinic will mean patients referred to hospital suffering from ketamine-related harm receive optimised care and can gain specific education and resources as well as access to cessation support services.

Consultant urologist Justine Royle explained: “Our main aim through this new clinic is to help protect people’s kidney function as much as possible. There will be easier access to acute care for patients suffering the effects of harm from taking ketamine and we are pulling together all our knowledge and expertise to help address this increasing problem.

“The more we can do to prevent the hugely damaging, life-changing effects of ketamine taking hold in the first place is so important, particularly among young people, so we are also right behind the new public health campaign.”

NHS Grampian’s Public Health Directorate, in partnership with the Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), has designed the new ‘Use Ketamine? Stop and Think’ campaign which aims to provide clear, non-judgemental information about the potential harms of ketamine, including the dangers of mixing substances, taking drugs alone, taking unknown substances, and the long-term impact on physical and mental health. 

Simon Rayner, who leads Aberdeen’s Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, said: “This campaign is about helping young people make informed choices. By raising awareness of the risks associated with ketamine use and promoting access to support, we hope to prevent harm and encourage people to seek help at an early stage. Young people with lived experience have told us they wish they had better understood the risks sooner and where to get help. This campaign is about providing honest information without judgement.”

The campaign comes at a time when ketamine use is increasing across Scotland. NHS Lothian RefHelp reports that recreational ketamine use among 16 to 24-year-olds doubled between 2010 and 2020, while a Scottish Government report referenced by RefHelp found that, of S4 pupils who reported taking illegal drugs in the previous month, 35% reported using ketamine.

The campaign will run across social media, community settings and partner networks throughout Grampian. Key messages encourage people to:

· Stop and think before using ketamine

· Know what you are taking

· Avoid mixing ketamine with alcohol or other drugs

· Do not use ketamine alone

· Seek urgent medical help if someone becomes unwell

· Access support early if ketamine use is affecting health or wellbeing

Justine added: “Early symptoms appear similar to a UTI. For some, it causes incontinence or the need to pee lots, for others it stops the bladder working. It can make the bladder bleed, and cause scarring on the bladder. In extreme cases, removing the bladder through major surgery is the best course of action. The best thing you can do to help yourself if you have been using ketamine is stop using." 

For more information and support, visit the campaign webpage: Ketamine: Know the Facts

For professionals supporting people with ketamine-related harm and eager to share messaging with young people, a further webpage is available containing a whole host of resources: Ketamine Resources for Staff – Hi-Net Grampian