At Knoll Medical Practice, we are committed to providing safe, evidence-based care for all our patients. Recently, we have seen an increase in enquiries regarding private clinics offering medical cannabis products and services.
To ensure clarity and manage expectations, we would like to outline our policy regarding shared care and the exchange of information with these private providers.
Our Position on Medical Cannabis
This practice does not enter into shared care agreements, provide medical records directly to, or engage in clinical correspondence with private medical cannabis providers.
The NHS and private cannabis clinics operate as independent healthcare systems with different regulatory frameworks, funding streams, and clinical expectations. As an NHS GP practice, our primary contractual obligation is to prioritise NHS-commissioned services and ensure the equitable distribution of public resources. Accepting Shared Care Protocols for cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) from private providers introduces a complex clinical and administrative burden that falls outside our standard remit. Because medicinal cannabis is classified as a specialist-only medication, most General Practitioners do not have the specific training, indemnity coverage, or secondary care infrastructure required to safely monitor these treatments within the NHS framework.
How to Access Your Information
We respect your right to seek private healthcare. While we do not communicate directly with private cannabis clinics, you have full ownership of your health data. If a private provider requires your medical history, you can facilitate this in the following ways:
1. The NHS App (Recommended)
The quickest and easiest way to share your medical history is via the NHS App. You can view your consultation notes, test results, and current medications directly on your device. You can show this information to your private consultant or provide them with a digital summary.
2. Brief Medical Summary
We can provide a free Brief Medical Summary. This includes your diagnoses, medications, and allergies, and will include your most recent consultations and investigations. For your convenience, we can text this directly to your phone or have a printed copy ready for you at reception.
3. Subject Access Request (SAR)
If your provider requires a formal copy of your records, you may submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) to our administration team.
- Once processed, the records will be provided directly to you, the patient.
- You are then responsible for forwarding this information to the private clinic.
Please Note: Processing a SAR can take up to 28 days. We recommend using the NHS App for immediate access to your health summary.
Moving Forward
If you choose to pursue private treatment, please be aware that all costs including the medication, follow-up appointments, and any necessary monitoring blood tests must be covered by the private provider or the patient. Knoll Medical Practice will not assume responsibility for the prescribing, costs, or associated investigations of these treatments under the NHS.
We thank you for your understanding in helping us maintain safe clinical standards for all our patients.