Flow & the NHS
Flow’s mission is to make mental health care more accessible.
You can access Flow through the NHS if you live in West London, Northamptonshire or Leicestershire, or if you are a UK-based NHS clinician suffering from depression.
Flow is being used across the NHS
Click the papers below to read the full article.
"Effective, measurable and with limited side effects"
"Successfully integrated into a primary care service"
"Support the use of Flow as a treatment"
"Offering Flow to patients with a diagnosis of depression"
GP Services
Since March 2023 Flow has been successfully offered to patients as an alternative to antidepressants or therapy at select GP practices in Northamptonshire.
"Flow has been successfully integrated into a primary care service depression treatment".
It’s been a life changer.
I feel more confident, and I feel less anxious about being myself.
I say my sleeping improved pretty quickly, after using it….I think within the first week.
Crisis Service
The Leicestershire NHS Partnership Trust Crisis Service has shown up to a 75% drop in suicidal ideation across the trial, with the trust confirming that hospital admissions had been avoided.
1 in 3 patients went into remission (complete absence of depression symptoms) or response (at least 50% improvement in symptoms) within six weeks.
“Flow has been an amazing tool to safely and effectively help patients with depression to recover faster. The feedback from our patients and staff has been overwhelmingly positive."
Thank you for saving my life! I believe I wouldn’t be here with out it.
I was having suicidal thoughts. Following 2 weeks of stimulations, I began to feel better.
Postnatal depression
Dr Carol Abraham, Specialty Doctor from NHFT Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service said “We are pleased to be able to offer tDCS as part of a range of therapies as reviewed by NICE for the treatment of depression, especially as sometimes mothers prefer not to take medication if they are breastfeeding.”
I was walking around in a fog and I'm not now.
I've spoken to my psychiatrist about reducing my anti-depressant medication, which is great.
It’s easier to get out of bed in the morning.
Community Mental Health
Will McIlhiney, a Community Mental Health Practitioner, said: “Being able to offer Flow has been very well received from our patient group. One of the common themes I notice when I discuss Flow with a patient is that people feel optimistic that there are other options for them."
I just wish it had been offered years ago.
I don’t feel like I am so bogged down by my own brain.
Three months ago I was suicidal. Everything now just feels brighter.
NHS Practitioner Health
Since January 2024, NHS clinicians that are suffering from depression will now be offered Flow as a treatment option via NHS Practitioner Health.
Our NHS programmes in the media
"The NHS is extending trials to cover postnatal depression."
"Electric headset for treating depression recommended as widespread treatment after NHS trial."
“A significant milestone in mental health care"
"The NHS a rollout of the technique could save money on prescriptions and improve take-up of treatment"
Dr Azhar Zafar uses Flow with his patients
Dr Azhar is leading one of 6 NHS programmes across the UK to see if GPs can integrate Flow into their current workflows:
“Flow has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our patients, who have reported improvements in their emotional well-being, increased energy levels, and overall functioning. Patients experience minimal discomfort or side effects during its use. Some patients have come off their antidepressants as a result of using Flow."
Our future with the NHS
These programmes are just the start of Flow’s efforts to ensure patients can access its treatment via the NHS, and Flow is in active conversations to try and bring its depression treatment to other regions.
If you work within the NHS and would like to see Flow offered to your patients, please contact partnerships@flowneuroscience.com.
If you are a patient and would like to speak to your clinician (GP, Psychiatrist) about Flow, we'd recommend taking this information leaflet with you.