Becoming a patient
Your first steps
Firstly, I'm sorry that you are here, not in the sense that you are on my website, more the reason you have arrived at this page, you need help!
I have been there and there were no real answers, which is why I started Patient11.co.uk to help those who really need it.
The first and most obvious step is to go to your local GP and request that you are considered for a medical cannabis prescription as an alternative to any treatments you’re currently prescribed.
In theory, this sounds really quite simple: you have an ongoing chronic/acute problem that has been treated by several different potent medications, and now medical cannabis is legal in the UK, you would think that doctors would be falling over themselves to prescribe it as an alternative to opioid-based medications. It's not that simple
The first hurdle is to find out: does your local NHS trust support the use of medical cannabis (I will create a list of those that do for reference)? If not, we can avoid that hurdle, by asking your GP to refer you privately. There are several options to access help privately, although I can only talk about my personal experience at the superb Sapphire Medical Clinics.
When I first looked into it, your GP has to be willing to refer you, this can be tricky because, for one reason or another, a lot of GPs won't prescribe medical cannabis, even where it is not blacklisted.
This is partly due to lack of education and research into the benefits in this country, and also that they just don't know they can prescribe it. Because there is so little information on medical cannabis in the UK, not all GPs are aware they can prescribe it.
Now you can do a self-referral.
Learn More
There are a variety of programmes available across the country and I will be regularly updating the list of licensed medical cannabis practitioners.
Applying for medical cannabis
First step, Talk to your GP
First step, Talk to your GP
First step, Talk to your GP
If you have been suffering from chronic pain, ADHD, PTSD, or neuropathic disorders you could be eligible for referral to a medical cannabis programme - your GP will start the process for you.
See below for a list of most of the qualifying conditions
Self Referring
First step, Talk to your GP
First step, Talk to your GP
There may be several reasons why you would prefer not to speak to your GP, especially with the stigma associated with cannabis. You can now go directly to several clinics to see if you qualify for the programme. They will be in touch with your GP and request access to your medical records.
what happens next
Don't be DISAPPOINTED
Don't be DISAPPOINTED
If you qualify to be a patient, you will have an initial consultation going over your history as well as your injury/condition in more detail. After the initial assessment, (in my experience, I will update if required), the clinician will discuss your case with their colleagues and then advise you on the best course of action (whether it is pharmaceutical CBD, or full-spectrum THC Oil or the bud (flos, flower) for imbibing/vaping.
Don't be DISAPPOINTED
Don't be DISAPPOINTED
Don't be DISAPPOINTED
Unfortunately, not everyone will qualify for the programme, medical cannabis is still in the very early stages of research in this country, so some people may have an adverse reaction. But the more people who do, the more information will be available and you may be able to try again in the future.
Before applying for medical cANNABIS
Check to see if you qualify for treatment and CANCARD.
Medical cannabis is still very new in the UK and there are various qualifying conditions. At the moment, most medical cannabis is prescribed through private clinics. I have visited as many as I can find and listed the most common ailments that would get you through the door. The list will grow, but in the meantime, if you suffer with:
- Chronic pain
- Neurological conditions
- Gastroenterological conditions
- Oncological
- Palliative Care
- Paediatric conditions
- PTSD
- ADHD
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety
You could be eligible to be accepted on a programme, but not everyone will be suited to the medication. Some people may get oil only, others flower and oil, other patients will get more benefit from CBD than THC - your consultant will discuss the best options for you.
Where to apply
CQC Approved licensed Medical cannabis prescribing clinics a
Medical Cannabis Cards - a little extra help for patients
CANCARD +
Cancard™ is an ID card - designed with the help of doctors, backed by senior representatives of the Police Federation and made for patients. Despite cannabis medicines becoming legal in 2018, patients unable to afford a costly prescription are stuck in limbo. Cancard aims to bridge the gap between patients, doctors, and the police. The card allows for the police to exercise discretion by understanding that the patient caught in possession is medicating for their condition.