Rachel Isba, Professor of Children and Young People's Health at Lancaster Medical School, is involved in the first ever ketamine clinic for children and young people at Alder Hey Children's NHS Trust together with Ms Harriet Corbett, Consultant Paediatric Urologist.
The specialist multi-disciplinary clinic at Alder Hey Hospital is the first of its kind in the UK and has been set up in response to a significant rise in young people presenting with ketamine-induced uropathy, also known as 'Ketamine Bladder'.
Ketamine abuse in children and young people is on the rise. An anonymised 2023 survey of more than 13,000 secondary school children from 185 schools across England reported 11% of 15-year-olds had been offered ketamine at some point. The same study, conducted for NHS England, suggested the use of ketamine among schoolchildren had more than doubled in the last decade from 0.4% in 2013 to 0.9% in 2023.
Children and young people under 16 who are referred to the clinic will benefit from care provided by a specialist urology team who will treat the physical effects the drug has had on the urinary system while Professor Isba, who is also Consultant in Paediatric Public Health, will provide further support and, where appropriate, include other relevant community services in the young person's ongoing care.
Professor Isba said: "Treatment is certainly not a quick fix and ketamine can affect these young people's mental health as well as physical health. My role in the clinic will be looking at ways to work with the young person to help them stop using ketamine altogether. The clinic will offer non-judgemental support and referral into community drug services where appropriate. We will provide a safe space for them to talk and work together to develop a plan."
Ms Harriet Corbett, Consultant Paediatric Urologist at Alder Hey, said: "Ketamine bladder syndrome is a very serious problem associated with chronic ketamine use. It can lead to significant pain and long-term health consequences. Over the past few years, we have seen an escalating number of children and young people referred to Alder Hey with bladder symptoms. The symptoms can affect them for their whole life as ketamine use can result in damage to the bladder wall, including ulceration and fibrosis. The effects can be irreversible and can result in chronic bladder pain, incontinence, and in worst case scenarios, might necessitate removal of the bladder or kidney dialysis. This is entirely preventable, and we want to support children and young people to understand the dangers of this drug and prevent any further damage."
