Frequently asked questions

At Smart TMS, we believe our patients deserve the best value for money, without reducing the levels of personal, caring service. As a result we treat anxiety and depression within the same treatment session. Anxiety and depression tend to see patients entering a vicious cycle of low mood and worry or fear, so our clinicians prescribe TMS treatment for both, if the patient’s symptoms suggest this would be beneficial. We do this at no extra cost to the patient, unlike other TMS providers.

We have partnered with a specialist company who offer finance subject to criteria. Please see finance for more information. 

Currently, there are very few NHS Foundation Trusts that offer TMS as a treatment for depression – and those that do tend to have long waiting lists. The treatment is only offered free of charge to a select number of patients who meet strict criteria – including living in the catchment area covered by the NHS Trust.

Many private medical insurance companies are now considering covering the cost of treatment on a case by case basis. If you have private health insurance and you believe it may cover TMS treatment, please get in touch with our team and we can help with booking your treatment and processing your claim. If you are covered by another insurer or unsure as to the position, we recommend calling your insurer in the first instance, to see whether they will cover the cost of your treatment.

Following our most recent audit, 65% of patients saw a clinically significant reduction in symptoms, while 46% of patients entered full remission following a full course of treatment.

Of all patients treated for OCD by Smart TMS, 30% of patients entered remission, meaning that they no longer suffer from clinical OCD at all.

We currently treat:

While both rTMS and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) are effective in the treatment of depression, there are many differences in safety and tolerability. Both are designed to treat depression through the application of energy into the brain, but the similarities end there. ECT is a more intensive and invasive procedure than is rTMS as ECT requires an anaesthetic and is designed to stimulate a controlled seizure.

TMS Therapy is a very well tolerated treatment and there are very few limitations as to who can receive it. However, not all patients are appropriate candidates for TMS therapy. Patients who have ferromagnetic metal implants in their head/neck or a cochlear implant aren’t appropriate candidates for TMS. A Smart TMS clinician will confirm your suitability prior to writing your TMS prescription.

You can continue your sessions as normal, and should carry on taking any medication prescribed by your GP or psychiatrist throughout your TMS treatment. Alhough you can refer yourself for TMS, we’ll ask for your permission to tell your GP or psychiatrist about your treatment with us, as being kept informed helps them give you the best possible care.

When your treatment comes to an end, your Smart TMS clinician will arrange a review to talk about your progress. Where your symptoms have reduced, he or she will explain our aftercare programme – Continuous Care – and advise you on the best way to maintain your great results. Your clinician will also share your results with your GP (with your permission).

Before you can start treatment, there are two stages that need to be completed:

1. Completion of your pre-assessment questionnaire. This gives us the information we need on your medical history and symptoms before your assessment with one of our clinicians;
2. Our clinician will talk through your medical history and symptoms before arriving at a diagnosis and confirming your suitability for TMS treatment. A prescription for TMS will be written.

To arrange to start this process, please contact us on 0345 222 5678 or submit an enquiry and one of our patient advisors will contact you.