HOW IS IT DOWN THERE? –
Dec. 30, 2025 – Few places have felt the effects of that increase more than urology departments. Chronic ketamine use can cause irreversible damage to the bladder and urinary tract, and departments have seen an increase in patients, with many of those treated being young adults and teenagers. Alison Downey, a consultant urologist in South Yorkshire, says ketamine abuse is worse than she has ever seen, with admissions pushing medical centres and hospitals to their limits.
“We’re already stretched really thin as it is and it’s been a massive increase that we’re just not equipped for. Although it causes urology problems, ketamine abuse is not a urology issue, its an addiction and we can’t do anything about that”, said Downey, who has worked as a consultant for more than five years.
“It’s an awful problem at the moment, and the epicentre seems to be Barnsley,” she said. “In 2021, there were 11 attendances in Barnsley A&E for ketamine-related issues, and that was for the whole year. This year, from January to May, there have been 50, that’s a huge increase for just five months.”
