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Advanced Interventions

Advanced Interventions (Neurosurgery for severe mental health disorders) is based in NHS Tayside and offers such unique treatments that it is the only service of its kind in the UK.  The service provides treatment options for individuals suffering from chronic and severe treatment-refractory depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.  Many of the patients referred to the service have failed to respond to other types of treatment.

Patients who are eligible for an advanced intervention are offered either anterior cingulotomy which is a stereotactic neurosurgical procedure or Vagus Nerve Stimulation.  This type of treatment requires a vigorous and comprehensive assessment period which is usually carried out at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.  In addition to the high level of assessment the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland reviews each patient undergoing anterior cingulotomy to ensure that the patient is able to provide fully informed consent. 

More information about the service is available on the:

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Annual Report

The most recent annual report for the Network is available on the:

Lead clinician:

Dr David Christmas, Consultant Psychiatrist

Service contact address:

University of Dundee
Ninewells Hospital & Medical School
Dundee
DD1 9SY

National Services Division contacts:

To contact members of NSD staff, please visit our staff contacts page.

Janice Birrell, Programme Manager
Carol Woods, Programme Support Officer