How To Choose A Medical Cannabis Doctor And Clinic: Tips & Considerations For Patients In The UK

Key Points

• Medical cannabis is legal in the UK. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) are available on prescription from specialist doctors.
• Medical cannabis has been shown to be effective for a wide range of conditions. If you are considering medical cannabis, it’s important to choose a specialist doctor and clinic that can advise you on the best course of treatment.
• Various clinics and specialists are offering medical cannabis prescriptions. The first step is to see a GP, who can refer you to a specialist doctor.
• Choosing a medical cannabis doctor involves several considerations: expertise, pricing, location, reputation and more.
• Lyphe is the UK’s first and leading medical cannabis clinic. We offer a range of services, including medical cannabis prescriptions, as well as support and advice on the use of medical cannabis.

In the UK, there are currently only two ways to legally access medical cannabis in the UK: either by getting a prescription from an NHS consultant or by registering with a private specialist. However, despite these options being available for some time now, many patients still struggle to find doctors willing to prescribe medical cannabis.

Moreover, many doctors are unaware of their patient’s needs and how to best prescribe medical cannabis. As such, finding a specialist can be tricky.

Choosing a medical cannabis clinic is the same as choosing any other doctor. Your options should be based on factors such as location, price, experience and reviews. You should consider many things when looking for the right clinic for your needs, so don’t be afraid to ask questions about their services and policies.

In this post, we’ll look at some things to consider when choosing a medical cannabis doctor and clinic. We’ll also go over how best to go about making an appointment. Before committing to any treatment plans, we also discuss the questions you may want to ask.

Understanding Your Needs: Is Medical Cannabis Right for You?

The first step in choosing the right medical cannabis doctor or clinic is identifying the medical condition you are treating. The medical condition you are treating will also determine the type of medical cannabis treatment you should be getting.

Several illnesses may qualify a patient for medical cannabis treatment, including:

• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS
• Severe chronic pain (including neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis)
• Epilepsy/seizures
• Mental health conditions, including depression, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Fibromyalgia, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
• Multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries
• A terminal illness that has been diagnosed by a physician and is likely to cause death within one year.

The above list is not exhaustive, as other conditions may qualify you for medical cannabis treatment. If you have been diagnosed with any of these illnesses, it is important to consult a doctor.

How to Qualify for a Medical Cannabis Prescription

To qualify for a medical cannabis prescription in the UK, a patient must have a diagnosis from their doctor. This diagnosis must show that they have one or more qualifying medical conditions for cannabis use.

The diagnosis must also show that the patient has tried two other prescriptions. Otherwise, they must provide evidence that they cannot do so because of side effects or dependence concerns. Additionally, the patient may need ID matching the details on the dispensing label or doctor’s letter.

Some patients may get a referral from their GP or an NHS specialist. They will then be sent to a medical cannabis clinic for an assessment.

In a medical cannabis evaluation, a specialist will assess the patient’s symptoms and medical history and perform any necessary testing. If they are approved to use medical cannabis, they will receive a prescription and can purchase it from a specialist pharmacy or online dispensary.

Choosing the Right Medical Cannabis Doctor and Clinic

Now that you’re qualified for medical cannabis, it’s time to choose a doctor and clinic. Several private specialists in the UK can prescribe medical cannabis.

With various options available to you, choosing a reputable provider that meets your needs is important. Here are some tips for finding the right one.

1. Find a legally recognised doctor who specialises in cannabis

When looking for a medical cannabis doctor, it is important to find one who specialises in the field. Doctors in the UK who prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) must have a General Medical Council (GMC) certificate. The GMC is an independent body that regulates the medical profession in the UK.

Additionally, the doctor must be recognised on the Specialist Register. Doctors on the Specialist Register have undergone postgraduate speciality training through GMC-approved programmes.

As the largest medical cannabis clinic in the UK, Lyphe is home to a team of doctors who have undergone extensive training in the field of medical cannabis. They are all GMC-certified practitioners who specialise in treating patients with cannabis-based products.

Our expert specialists will use a medical cannabis evaluation to check if the treatment is right for you. They take into account your medical history, national guidelines and personal needs when making this decision.

Lyphe specialists are well-versed in prescribing medical cannabis for conditions that fall under the following categories:

• Pain – chronic, neuropathic, musculoskeletal, cancer-related and more
• Neurological – Alzheimer’s, ADHD, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke and more
• Psychiatric – anxiety, appetite disorders, depression, insomnia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more
• Gastrointestinal – Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Palliative – terminal cancers, kidney failure, leukaemia, lymphoma and more
• Complex – any condition where the person needs extra medical, physical or mental support on a long-term basis.

2. Ask questions

Getting any kind of treatment involves a certain amount of risk. It’s important to ask questions and ensure you understand exactly what you’re getting into.

Many patients, for example, hesitate to use cannabis for pain because of the stigma surrounding it as a recreational drug. But medical cannabis may actually be an effective treatment for chronic pain.

When choosing a medical cannabis clinic or doctor, you want to ask questions like:

• What kind of cannabis products do you use?
• How do you know that these products are safe and effective?
• What dose should I take? 
• How long will treatment last?

Prior to your first appointment with Lyphe, you may opt to schedule a free appointment with one of our expert patient advisors. They can answer any questions you may have about medical cannabis and provide you with information about services. Request a free callback today!

3. Read reviews online and see what other patients say

You should always consider reading online reviews before you decide which cannabis clinic to visit. It’s important to choose a medical cannabis provider with positive feedback because if you don’t, you could have a poor experience.

At Lyphe we’re proud of our reputation, and we take pride in providing patients with exceptional service. We hold a CQC rating of “Good”, the second-highest rating provided by the Care Quality Commission. This means we have been inspected by an external body and found to be meeting all necessary standards of practice for medical cannabis clinics.

4. See what other patients have to say

You should also consider asking for patient testimonials. Reading reviews from other patients helps you gauge how effective a cannabis clinic’s services are. If possible, look for patient feedback on social media as well.

Here’s what one of Lyphe’s patients has to say about medical cannabis:

‘For me, everything changed the day I started using medical cannabis. It’s completely turned my life around.” – Tony Paterson, via The Independent

Tony is one of many patients who’ve come to Lyphe to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic pain. For him, medical cannabis has been a lifesaver.

Here’s another testimonial from one of our clients who found cannabis to be an effective treatment:

“I was hesitant to try [it] because of the negative stigma surrounding it. However, the pain medical cannabis has helped relieve me of, which no other medication has been able to do, has opened a whole new door of possibilities for me.” – Charlie James, via Lincolnshire Live

Charlie used to spend 90 per cent of her life in chronic pain due to endometriosis. Thanks to medical cannabis, she can now live a much more normal life.

These are just a few of the many people who have been helped by medical cannabis. The list grows every day, with more and more people finding that their health improves when they use medical cannabis.

If you or your loved one is suffering from a complex condition, our knowledgeable medical cannabis specialists here at Lyphe may be able to provide assistance.

5. Consider pricing

When it comes to medical cannabis, you have a lot of options. The cost of your treatment can vary greatly depending on the dispensary and doctor or clinic you choose.

You should always consider how much money you can afford to spend and whether or not that price aligns with what other patients are paying at similar locations. If the price seems too high, don’t hesitate to ask about discounts or payment plans.

At Lyphe, we provide patients with affordable healthcare from the comfort of their own homes. We understand that the cost of medical cannabis can be a burden for some patients and their families. We work hard to provide quality care at affordable prices, so everyone has access to the treatment they need.

We offer three different types of appointments to choose from (pricing may vary by region):

1. New patient appointment (£49): A specialist will assess you to understand your needs, symptoms and suitability.
2. Follow-up appointment (£49): Every three months, you will be reviewed to check your response to the treatment and see how you are doing.
3. Repeat prescription (£30): You can order your repeat medication online from the comfort of your home 24/7.

6. Consider the location

The location of your medical cannabis clinic is important for several reasons:

• It allows you to access your doctor with ease.
• It ensures the clinic has a convenient opening time that suits your schedule.
• It ensures that you don’t have to travel too far for treatment.

Alternatively, you can opt to choose a medical cannabis specialist who offers their services online. Video consultations can be particularly helpful if you have limited mobility. And for most cannabis patients, accessing their doctor from home is a huge plus.

At Lyphe, we offer a video consultation service available to all our patients. We also accept repeat orders that are placed by phone or email. Our services are available 24/7, so you can rest assured that we’ll be there when you need us.

Choosing a Medical Cannabis Clinic Is No Different from Selecting a Doctor

Choosing a medical cannabis clinic is just like selecting a doctor. You want to ensure you are comfortable with the doctor and clinic, as well as their location and pricing.

As such, it’s only right that you take some time to get to know the doctor and clinic before choosing them. Your medical cannabis specialist is also your healthcare provider.

If you’re looking for a cannabis specialist that can offer you advice on treatment options, Lyphe is the place to start. We are the first and largest clinic specialising in medical cannabis treatment in the UK and Jersey. Book an appointment today and see how we can help you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)