Neurostimulation Service
The Fremantle Hospital Neurostimulation Service provides electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to support and improve mental health recovery and outcomes.
These evidence-based treatments are delivered as part of a person’s broader mental health care.
- Electroconvulsive therapy sends a small electric current to your brain which causes a seizure. This seizure changes the chemicals in your brain which may help improve your symptoms. Learn more about ECT (external site).
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation passes a rapidly changing magnetic field through your scalp and skull. This changes the electric activity and brain chemicals involved in controlling mood. Learn more about rTMS (Healthy WA)
These treatments are primarily for people living in the Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group (FSFHG) area and across the south metropolitan region. Read more below about who is eligible for our services and see the FSFHG and broader SMHS catchment (PDF 164KB).
The service is run by trained clinicians in a safe and supportive environment. We focus on comfort, dignity and wellbeing during treatment.
Fremantle Hospital is an authorised mental health hospital and an approved site for ECT by the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist.
The Neurostimulation Suite follows strong clinical rules to provide safe, high-quality care guided by the following principles:
- Safety and clinical excellence – treatments follow evidence-based practice with strong clinical oversight and regular review.
- Individualised, person-centred care – treatments are tailored to your needs, goals and what matters to you. Care for Aboriginal consumers is delivered in a culturally safe manner. This includes offering access to Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison and involving your family and cultural supports as appropriate.
- Recovery-oriented practice – our care supports hope, independence and meaningful engagement. Neurostimulation is an integrated component of your broader recovery plan, supporting wellness, functional improvement and long-term stability.
- Respect, dignity and compassion – we deliver our care with respect and dignity to make you feel safe.
- Transparency and informed consent – we provide clear information about your treatment, risks and benefits and alternative treatment options. Your consent to continue treatment is an ongoing process.
- Collaboration and continuity of care – we work closely with referring psychiatrists, GPs, community teams and carers to ensure coordinated care across your journey
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Given under a general anaesthetic, ECT may be used to treat:
- severe depression, including depression with psychotic symptoms or suicidal thoughts
- catatonia (when a person is awake but seems ‘frozen’ or doesn’t react, speak, or move normally)
- mania or psychosis that has not improved with treatment
- schizophrenia that has not improved with treatment
- situations where someone’s mental health is getting worse quickly and needs fast treatment
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
This non-invasive treatment does not require anaesthetic. It may be used for:
- depression that has not improved with other treatments
- people who have already tried other treatments such as medication or therapy
- people who have completed safety checks and are suitable for treatment.
Our service follows strict clinical and legal standards for both ECT and rTMS treatments.
Your rights and consent
We will give you clear information about your treatment, risks and other treatment options.
Your consent to continue treatment is checked regularly throughout your care. You can stop treatment at any time.
Physical health checks
We will check your physical health before you start treatment and monitor it during your care.
If you are receiving ECT, your pre-treatment check will include an anaesthetic review.
Our Neurostimulation Suite staff are trained mental health clinicians and can provide expert clinical and emergency support if required.
Before your treatment
Before starting treatment, you will be assessed to make sure the treatment is suitable and safe for you.
If you are accepted, your treatment will be booked for the next available session.
Where possible, treatment starts within one to two weeks, depending on clinical need and service capacity.
How long your treatment may last
Your treating psychiatrist will determine the most appropriate treatment for you. They will also determine how often you will receive treatment.
ECT treatment
A standard course of ECT includes up to 12 treatments delivered over a four-week period. You would receive up to 3 treatments each week, with a gap of at least 48 hours between treatments. Your treating team will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as required.
After this initial course of treatment, some people benefit from ongoing treatment weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
rTMS treatment
A standard course of rTMS is one session each weekday over a 4 to 6-week period. Most people required 20 sessions, although for some treatment may extend to 30 sessions.
Some people continue with maintenance treatments to keep the benefits and reduce the chance of relapse.
Discharge and follow-up
When your treatment is finished:
- A clinical review detailing your response to the treatment, its outcomes and ongoing care needs is completed.
- A discharge summary of clinical information, treatment outcomes and treatment is sent to your referring team. At this time, we hand your care back to your referring team and are available to them for further advice if needed.
To be eligible for our services you must live in the Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group (FSFHG) catchment. Referrals may be considered:
- if you live within the broader south metropolitan region
- for ECT from areas where this treatment is unavailable.
See the FSFHG and broader SMHS catchment (PDF 164KB).
You may be eligible for referral to our service if:
- you have a diagnosed mental health condition
- neurostimulation is part of your treatment plan
- your level of risk can be safely managed in the service.
Please note you will not be accepted:
- if you do not have a mental health diagnosis
- where a medical condition is the main concern
- for ECT if you:
- are aged under 18 years (unless approved)
- not medically to go under anaesthesia.
- for rTMS if you:
- are aged under 18 years
- are not medically fit
- have certain implants or conditions that make treatment unsafe.
You must be referred to our service to receive treatment.
ECT treatment
All ECT referrals must be made under the care of:
- a consultant psychiatrist via the internal Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group e-referral system
- an external consultant psychiatrist, with patients starting their first treatment as an inpatient.
rTMS treatment
Referrals for rTMS are currently only accepted via the internal Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group e-referral system.
Please note referrals from general practitioners (GPs) are not being accepted until September 2026 when the Mental Health Crisis Centre opens. Based at Fremantle Hospital, the centre will become the single point of access for Fremantle Mental Health service.
For health professionals
Read more about how to refer a patient.
Opening hours
The Neurostimulation Suite is open between 7:00am and 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.
ECT services are provided between 8:00am and 1:30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
rTMS services are provided between 7:30am and 2:00pm, Monday to Friday.
On public holidays only ECT services are provided and at reduced capacity.
Contact us
Phone the Fremantle Hospital Switchboard on 9431 3333.
Location
Neurostimulation Suite, V Block
Fremantle Hospital, Alma Street, Fremantle WA 6160 – see the Fremantle Hospital map (280 KB).
Share your feedback
We are committed to improving our service and encourage you to share your feedback.
Read about the many ways you can share your comments and concerns (external site).
In an emergency
In an emergency or crisis please dial 000 (triple zero) or visit your nearest emergency department (Healthy WA).
Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL)
Metro callers phone 1300 555 788 (local call)
Peel callers phone 1800 676 822 (free call)
Lifeline WA
131 114
24 hours a day / 7 day a week service
Find more mental health emergency service providers (Healthy WA).
