Explains what NMD is, what the operation is like, possible side effects and alternative surgical treatments. Also covers the law around consent to treatment by NMD.
View this information as a PDF (new window)
NMD is extremely rare. Your psychiatrist will only suggest NMD if:
If you are in this situation, your psychiatrist could offer to refer you to a multidisciplinary team for an assessment.
The team is made up of everyone who would be helping to look after you, including neurosurgeons (who would perform the surgery), psychiatrists, mental health nurses and psychological therapists.
Guidelines from the Royal College of Psychiatrists say that:
Assessments can be done at the Maudsley Hospital in London, but there are only two hospitals in the UK where the operation can be performed. These are:
There are no NMD treatment centres in England, so if you live in England you would have to travel to Wales or Scotland for the operation. It's important to be aware that the law on consent to treatment with NMD is different in Scotland to England and Wales.
This information was published in February 2018. We will revise it in 2021.
References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.