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Call: 021 761 1188
For referring clinicians
A referral for TMS starts with a suitability assessment. Dr BN Charles provides psychiatrist-led TMS assessment and treatment for patients whose depression has not improved sufficiently with treatment. This page outlines what to include in a referral and what referring clinicians can expect when care is shared.
When a TMS suitability assessment may be considered
A suitability assessment may be considered when a patient has depression that has not responded adequately to treatment, for example, where there has been an inadequate response to two or more appropriate antidepressant trials (treatment-resistant depression). Suitability is determined clinically at assessment, not from a referral form alone.
What the referral should include
Please provide, where available:
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patient identifying details and contact information;
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the current diagnosis and relevant history (including any ICD-10 code, e.g. F33.x where applicable);
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current and previous medication: doses, duration, and reasons for change or discontinuation;
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history of hospitalisation, prior therapeutic intervention, and prior neuromodulation;
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any relevant comorbid conditions; and
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current contact details for feedback (the referring practice).
Monitoring and Referrer Feedback
Tracking Progress
Progress is tracked using standardised questionnaires completed electronically via NovoPsych.
Measurement Points
Baseline (start), midpoint, end, and two weeks after treatment.
Shared Care
Dr Charles provides feedback on progress
to the referring doctor midway through and at the end of treatment, where the patient is under shared care.
Medical-aid funding
A medical-scheme motivation may be considered for TMS, generally in cases of treatment-resistant depression. The practice can submit a funding request to a number of schemes. Funding, authorisation and patient liability are scheme- and patient-specific, and approval is not guaranteed. The funding-request form (with tariff codes and the provider certification) is available from the practice.
Routine versus emergency
This referral route is not an emergency service. Routine enquiries and referrals are handled during normal working hours. In a psychiatric emergency, direct the patient to their nearest hospital emergency centre.
How to refer
To discuss a patient or arrange a suitability assessment, contact the practice:
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Reception: 021 761 1188
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Location: Mediclinic Crescent Mental Health Services, 269 Main Road, Claremont, Cape Town
Handling patient information: when referring by email or PDF, please review the Referring Clinician Privacy Guide
About Dr BN Charles
Dr BN Charles is a psychiatrist based in Cape Town, offering specialised TMS therapy at Mediclinic Crescent Mental Health Services in Claremont. His practice is dedicated to providing advanced, evidence-based neurobiological treatments that support functional recovery for patients managing treatment-resistant depression
Specialized Training
Dr. BN Charles has completed a Clinical Certification Course in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ( TMS ) through the Academy of Brain Stimulation, an internationally recognised organisation dedicated to advancing neuromodulation therapies
This certification ensures that TMS treatments are delivered according to international clinical standards and best practice guidelines
