So, I know that your GP is automatically sent information about your MC prescription by your clinic, so they will have that record on file.
My question is, are there any circumstances in which a GP could force or request that your MC treatment be stopped?
I ask because I think it's important that a patient can speak freely and honestly with their GP about any health matter, but if it turns out to be the case that your GP can veto your MC prescription if they decide to for example to blame it for some other health concern that you present with, then I'd like to know if I should be more cagey with my GP to avoid them coming to any such conclusions? Obviously it's never medically advisable to be hold back from a GP, but if my mental health medication which actually works with no significant side effects is on the line...
My gut feeling is that they wouldn't be able to do it, because they are not experts on MC, and therefore the opinion of a MC clinician is going to override theirs. Just like you wouldn't expect a GP to be able to veto a patient's heart surgery from a private hospital. But then maybe clinics just fold easily if a GP makes a request just for an easy life? We've seen clinics be unwilling to help patients in legal disputes, so maybe some are also unwilling to help a patient against an antagonistic GP?
Found this asking aI.
Your concerns are valid, and it's important to understand the dynamics between your GP and your MC (Medical Cannabis) clinician. Generally, a GP does not have the authority to unilaterally stop your MC treatment. However, they can express concerns and provide input based on their observations and medical expertise.
Here are some key points to consider:
Collaboration: Ideally, your GP and MC clinician should work together to ensure your overall health and well-being. If your GP has concerns about your MC treatment, they should discuss these with your MC clinician to reach a consensus.
Expertise: As you mentioned, MC clinicians are specialists in their field, and their opinion typically carries more weight regarding MC treatment. However, GPs are responsible for your general health and may raise concerns if they believe your MC treatment is affecting other aspects of your health.
Patient Autonomy: You have the right to make informed decisions about your treatment. If you feel that your GP's concerns are not justified, you can seek a second opinion or discuss the matter with your MC clinician.
Legal and Ethical Considerations: GPs are bound by ethical guidelines and legal frameworks, such as the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the principles of consent to treatment2. They must act in your best interests and respect your autonomy.
Communication: Open and honest communication with your GP is crucial. If you have concerns about their potential reaction to your MC treatment, consider discussing these concerns with them directly. This can help build trust and ensure that your treatment plan is tailored to your needs.
In summary, while your GP can raise concerns and provide input, they cannot unilaterally stop your MC treatment. It's essential to maintain open communication with both your GP and MC clinician to ensure the best possible care.
: Mental Capacity Act 2005: Consent to treatment - NHS
They may ask you to reduce your NHS meds depending on circumstances. This might be because of your Renal function ect. Your Kidneys can only take so much cleansing.
They cannot directly force it, but can advise/pass-on concerns to your prescribing specialist - which they're obliged to consider. Theoretically if it was general dispute over cannabis being a suitable medication, a specialist may stand their ground (they're qualified to judge that) - but for insurance/indemnity purposes, clinics could feel pressured to follow any evidence that reasonably demonstrates CBPMs could be harmful to your health.
Generally, a specialist at a private clinic covering your particular condition is considered more qualified to judge suitable treatments than a GP.
In practice, unless your NHSGP is given serious cause for concern - it's unlikely they'll ever try contact your private cannabis clinic, but would be obliged to if they felt CBPMs were harming your health in some way.
We actually often hear stories here of GPs being surprised by cannabis patients being able to stop other medications. Any negative preconceptions from GPs will change over time.
And some GP's just don't care. Mine apparently received the letters but never entered them into my records. I've never raised it with them, nor do I really care if they choose not to add it. I've heard some horror stories about GP's that did try and actively block access and a fair few that had drug abuser added to their records and then had to go down the nuclear option to get it removed, which they will tell you they can't do, but the second you tribunal them they will remove it rather than go down that route.
And some GP's just don't care. Mine apparently received the letters but never entered them into my records. I've never raised it with them, nor do I really care if they choose not to add it. I've heard some horror stories about GP's that did try and actively block access and a fair few that had drug abuser added to their records and then had to go down the nuclear option to get it removed, which they will tell you they can't do, but the second you tribunal them they will remove it rather than go down that route.
To me thats not good practice by your GP for health & safety reasons for a start. That's my opinion and some GP's need educating in this area who behave in this way.
I suspect it also might be because I already have a cannabis tag from long ago, because I was upfront with a consultant before having surgery about 20 years back and wanted to know how many weeks he wanted me off for, before the surgery. I knew i'd pick up an illicit drugs (ab)user tag, but better that than dying on the table or waking up half way through.
My way around the current thing is I just tell anyone who asks what meds i'm on. Generally the only people who asked so far were my dentist and i volunteered it at the hospital a couple of months back, but they never added it. Might be that whole stigma thing or maybe they see the previous tag from years back and don't know about medicine versions that are legal. If I was in an accident or had an issue, they generally go through your wallet and they'd find my current scrip in there. It's also mentioned in my phone under medications. I don't hide the fact in any way, it can be found in multiple easy to access locations for emergency use.
But as I mentioned on another thread recently, everyone at the surgery seems to be aware of it. The other possibility is it isn't in my current Patient Summary, it's possible it's buried in my main records somewhere, but i'm not doing another access request unless I need to. the Patient summary is available from their portal and shows recent medications, but it never showed on there, but maybe the policy is only to show NHS prescribed medications. C'est la vie.
I suspect it also might be because I already have a cannabis tag from long ago, because I was upfront with a consultant before having surgery about 20 years back and wanted to know how many weeks he wanted me off for, before the surgery. I knew i'd pick up an illicit drugs (ab)user tag, but better that than dying on the table or waking up half way through.
My way around the current thing is I just tell anyone who asks what meds i'm on. Generally the only people who asked so far were my dentist and i volunteered it at the hospital a couple of months back, but they never added it. Might be that whole stigma thing or maybe they see the previous tag from years back and don't know about medicine versions that are legal. If I was in an accident or had an issue, they generally go through your wallet and they'd find my current scrip in there. It's also mentioned in my phone under medications. I don't hide the fact in any way, it can be found in multiple easy to access locations for emergency use.
But as I mentioned on another thread recently, everyone at the surgery seems to be aware of it. The other possibility is it isn't in my current Patient Summary, it's possible it's buried in my main records somewhere, but i'm not doing another access request unless I need to. the Patient summary is available from their portal and shows recent medications, but it never showed on there, but maybe the policy is only to show NHS prescribed medications. C'est la vie.
I don't have an issue with my docs or any of my Surgeons they are all happy with my Cannabis Treatment as its been positive in many ways and its all in my records. If I wasn't taking Cannabis there's a 99% possibility that I would have had amputations and I'm not being morbid, death because of a certain condition I have but the Cannabis Treatment is 100% preventing this, my Surgeon the other day said if he intervenes it could leave me in a worse state and if I'm happy he was happy to let me go my own way and deal with it as I have.
I don't know why its not in your SOC but as you say it could be hidden.
I can access my full records anytime I want to with the NHS App and find it very handy and might be worth downloading mate
I gave up on the NHS App, couldn't get the damn thing to authenticate and I did try a few times. Even had one of my mates look into it as he works for the NHS in IT and he couldn't work out why it wouldn't auth. Also it's like adding more stuff to my phone. I have too many apps on this phone. I don't entirely trust the NHS with my info, especially after they tried to sell a chunk of it to some US company "for analysis" the other year. If I could get away with it, i'd buy an old Nokia 3210 and screw the internet and all these apps. But so many things need apps nowadays and don't work without them. I like to use my phone to call people and send texts. i wish that was all it did, but them times are long gone.
I suspect I have several tags on my records, for being difficult and I know I have some high priority tag which generally means if I need an appointment I usually get it rather quickly. I apparently get discussed at meetings a lot. The woes of bad health and life threatening conditions. I was one of those Covid people who was locked in for the entire pandemic and any food/meds that came in was handled like I was dealing with Ebola. I'm glad those days are behind us now.
Sounds like you have it pretty bad. Hopefully the cannabis keeps working for you, it sounds like you have it squared away.
I gave up on the NHS App, couldn't get the damn thing to authenticate and I did try a few times. Even had one of my mates look into it as he works for the NHS in IT and he couldn't work out why it wouldn't auth. Also it's like adding more stuff to my phone. I have too many apps on this phone. I don't entirely trust the NHS with my info, especially after they tried to sell a chunk of it to some US company "for analysis" the other year. If I could get away with it, i'd buy an old Nokia 3210 and screw the internet and all these apps. But so many things need apps nowadays and don't work without them. I like to use my phone to call people and send texts. i wish that was all it did, but them times are long gone.
I suspect I have several tags on my records, for being difficult and I know I have some high priority tag which generally means if I need an appointment I usually get it rather quickly. I apparently get discussed at meetings a lot. The woes of bad health and life threatening conditions. I was one of those Covid people who was locked in for the entire pandemic and any food/meds that came in was handled like I was dealing with Ebola. I'm glad those days are behind us now.
Sounds like you have it pretty bad. Hopefully the cannabis keeps working for you, it sounds like you have it squared away.
I understand now mate, a bit crap though that its the way it is.
I've had really good positive responses from everyone involved with my care with regards to me using Cannabis, its a pity that all NHS Health Care Providers are not like this, it should be equal across the board.
I understand that in some cases there are people who should not be treated with Cannabis because of possible negative effects with some people.
Yeah i have everything squared away, it makes things a lot easier for me and them I should imagine, my health conditions are quite complex .
So I was doing a meds review today and I thought why not, so I asked my GP if she had any letters from Integro on record. None. Which explains a lot. So i've shot an email to Integro asking if they can send the documentation back out so i can get it officially added to my records. We'll see how it goes from here. Hopefully it all gets squared away and it's one less thing. She asked me how long I've been with Integro and when i said 13 months, it was like an "Oh!". but to be fair to her she asked what I was on it for, how much i used, how I used it, so she obviously has some clue.
So I was doing a meds review today and I thought why not, so I asked my GP if she had any letters from Integro on record. None. Which explains a lot. So i've shot an email to Integro asking if they can send the documentation back out so i can get it officially added to my records. We'll see how it goes from here. Hopefully it all gets squared away and it's one less thing. She asked me how long I've been with Integro and when i said 13 months, it was like an "Oh!". but to be fair to her she asked what I was on it for, how much i used, how I used it, so she obviously has some clue.
The more GP Doctors that are informed about the use of Cannabis as a Medicine the better for the patient and Doctor.
Make sure they do follow up with the letter mate. For many reasons its important.
I was told by my GP Pharmacist if I were to be hospitalised my Cannabis treatment would have to continue because its on my Health Records as Treatment.
I can only offer my experience, which funny enough happened this morning. A couple of odd things happened so bear with me.
Ive been on boarding with a clinic I wont name, everything has been a little slow but they were great, until TODAY. I sent my SOC had my initial phone call, all good, I was asked to upload some additional information and parts of my records to clarify a few things, I couldnt get the bloody portal to cooperate, so rang them (this was last week) no problem they said email and we will add them for you.
I did as asked and saw them on the portal, I got a email a few days ago saying sorry for the delay but we are really busy at the moment, fair enough. Then this morning I got a strange email asking me for my summary of care records, i replied back that they had them and they were discussed at my first phone call, I sent screen shots of the portal with records on, I got another email saying....Sorry for the delay but it will take some time as our specialist isnt available, we will update you at a later date, so I called them, really nice women answered and confirmed she could see all my records and said I will get the ladies who deal with this to call you as I have no idea what they are on about.
Then at 10:30am I get a phone call from my GP, I saw the number and thought, must be to book my monthly blood test. Answered the call and it was my GP! Ive met her once in 8 years, most of my care apart from regular blood tests is done by my hospital care team. Anyway my GP said the following, we have had contact from (the clinic), and we understand you are trying to get prescription Cannabis, yes I replied. She said we do not condone the use of cannabis especially as you have an addiction to it!! (utter bollocks), I explained yes I use it and yes it helps.
My GP said its the practice policy not to condone the use of Cannabis and we have made it clear to the (clinic) you are not suitable, so I said, well im sorry but you dont know me, you dont have any input in my care except to get a nurse to take blood monthly, so how can you decide what is in my best interest?
She just said, we will not sanction you, OR any other patient of ours trying to seek Cannabis! Before I could say a word she then hung up.
My Dilemma is , they are the ONLY GP practice in my catchment area, and being in Scotland I cant go out of it! Even if I could the nearest other one is an hour away!!
So technically NO they cant stop you, but in practice they have now Blocked me twice from on boarding with 2 different clinics, I rang Cannabis Clinic Cardiff today, and explained the situation (not the clinic I was aiming to join), CCC said they take on board what the GP tells them and it does influence their decisions.
REALLY frustrating, especially considering the diagnoses everyone is bothered about was from 1992 and I provided a load of addition medical records that explain the Diagnoses was subsequently found to be down to a condition I was finally diagnosed with in 2007 (temporal lobe epilepsy).
I submitted 3 letters from MH services all saying apart from PTSD I was mentally fine apart from mild depression caused by my chronic Crohns condition.
They dont make it easy!!
I can only offer my experience, which funny enough happened this morning. A couple of odd things happened so bear with me.
Ive been on boarding with a clinic I wont name, everything has been a little slow but they were great, until TODAY. I sent my SOC had my initial phone call, all good, I was asked to upload some additional information and parts of my records to clarify a few things, I couldnt get the bloody portal to cooperate, so rang them (this was last week) no problem they said email and we will add them for you.
I did as asked and saw them on the portal, I got a email a few days ago saying sorry for the delay but we are really busy at the moment, fair enough. Then this morning I got a strange email asking me for my summary of care records, i replied back that they had them and they were discussed at my first phone call, I sent screen shots of the portal with records on, I got another email saying....Sorry for the delay but it will take some time as our specialist isnt available, we will update you at a later date, so I called them, really nice women answered and confirmed she could see all my records and said I will get the ladies who deal with this to call you as I have no idea what they are on about.
Then at 10:30am I get a phone call from my GP, I saw the number and thought, must be to book my monthly blood test. Answered the call and it was my GP! Ive met her once in 8 years, most of my care apart from regular blood tests is done by my hospital care team. Anyway my GP said the following, we have had contact from (the clinic), and we understand you are trying to get prescription Cannabis, yes I replied. She said we do not condone the use of cannabis especially as you have an addiction to it!! (utter bollocks), I explained yes I use it and yes it helps.
My GP said its the practice policy not to condone the use of Cannabis and we have made it clear to the (clinic) you are not suitable, so I said, well im sorry but you dont know me, you dont have any input in my care except to get a nurse to take blood monthly, so how can you decide what is in my best interest?
She just said, we will not sanction you, OR any other patient of ours trying to seek Cannabis! Before I could say a word she then hung up.
My Dilemma is , they are the ONLY GP practice in my catchment area, and being in Scotland I cant go out of it! Even if I could the nearest other one is an hour away!!
So technically NO they cant stop you, but in practice they have now Blocked me twice from on boarding with 2 different clinics, I rang CCC today, and explained the situation (not the clinic I was aiming to join), CCC said they take on board what the GP tells them and it does influence their decisions.
REALLY frustrating, especially considering the diagnoses everyone is bothered about was from 1992 and I provided a load of addition medical records that explain the Diagnoses was subsequently found to be down to a condition I was finally diagnosed with in 2007 (temporal lobe epilepsy).
I submitted 3 letters from MH services all saying apart from PTSD I was mentally fine apart from mild depression caused by my chronic Crohns condition.
They dont make it easy!!
Only a specialist can prescribe medical cannabis, a specialist is more qualified than any GP to make such a judgement. You can refuse sharing your data with a GP from any cannabis clinic, though many now try bake your permission for data-sharing into their terms of service and won't treat you without it. Generally speaking they have a duty to keep your primary care informed.
There's a few different avenues you can consider:
Source your "summary of care" direct from your current GP (you have a right to request and they can't say no), and don't involve them in the sign-up process. If you self-supply a SOC to a MC clinic, that's all a clinic has to judge your application on - your GPcould complain after acceptance when they're eventually notified, but that cuts them out of the sign-up procedure entirely.
Find a private GP online, explain the situation to them, sign-up to a clinic once on-boarded there - it can be remote, doesn't have to be local whatsoever. I first signed up to UK MC using my USA doctor's details (was legitimately my primary care practitioner at the time). They don't even have to be in the country, as long as they become your primary care practitioner/GP.
Challenge the GP directly on incorrect medical history documentation, you could consider booking a specialist psychiatrist online and asking them to write a letter to your GP explaining why they believe you're infact suitable for cannabis and prior medical history or diagnosis was incorrect. Obviously, the specialist will have to independently agree that's the case.
Either way, ultimately it's not down to your GP whether you're prescribed or not - it's down to specialists, and you have every right to seek private healthcare elsewhere from a specialist. As I alluded to above, clinics are risk-adverse, partly due to their own indemnity/insurances, to get prescribed you need to not be someone they consider to be a risk that could cause future issues from them.
All hope isn't lost, but given the fact you can't reasonably join another local GP practice - you're going to have to fight for this in other ways.
I can only offer my experience, which funny enough happened this morning. A couple of odd things happened so bear with me.
Ive been on boarding with a clinic I wont name, everything has been a little slow but they were great, until TODAY. I sent my SOC had my initial phone call, all good, I was asked to upload some additional information and parts of my records to clarify a few things, I couldnt get the bloody portal to cooperate, so rang them (this was last week) no problem they said email and we will add them for you.
I did as asked and saw them on the portal, I got a email a few days ago saying sorry for the delay but we are really busy at the moment, fair enough. Then this morning I got a strange email asking me for my summary of care records, i replied back that they had them and they were discussed at my first phone call, I sent screen shots of the portal with records on, I got another email saying....Sorry for the delay but it will take some time as our specialist isnt available, we will update you at a later date, so I called them, really nice women answered and confirmed she could see all my records and said I will get the ladies who deal with this to call you as I have no idea what they are on about.
Then at 10:30am I get a phone call from my GP, I saw the number and thought, must be to book my monthly blood test. Answered the call and it was my GP! Ive met her once in 8 years, most of my care apart from regular blood tests is done by my hospital care team. Anyway my GP said the following, we have had contact from (the clinic), and we understand you are trying to get prescription Cannabis, yes I replied. She said we do not condone the use of cannabis especially as you have an addiction to it!! (utter bollocks), I explained yes I use it and yes it helps.
My GP said its the practice policy not to condone the use of Cannabis and we have made it clear to the (clinic) you are not suitable, so I said, well im sorry but you dont know me, you dont have any input in my care except to get a nurse to take blood monthly, so how can you decide what is in my best interest?
She just said, we will not sanction you, OR any other patient of ours trying to seek Cannabis! Before I could say a word she then hung up.
My Dilemma is , they are the ONLY GP practice in my catchment area, and being in Scotland I cant go out of it! Even if I could the nearest other one is an hour away!!
So technically NO they cant stop you, but in practice they have now Blocked me twice from on boarding with 2 different clinics, I rang Cannabis Clinic Cardiff today, and explained the situation (not the clinic I was aiming to join), CCC said they take on board what the GP tells them and it does influence their decisions.
REALLY frustrating, especially considering the diagnoses everyone is bothered about was from 1992 and I provided a load of addition medical records that explain the Diagnoses was subsequently found to be down to a condition I was finally diagnosed with in 2007 (temporal lobe epilepsy).
I submitted 3 letters from MH services all saying apart from PTSD I was mentally fine apart from mild depression caused by my chronic Crohns condition.
They dont make it easy!!
New post automatically merged:
In better news.......My little Grow is doing nicely !
So first thing you need to do is contact the NHS and lodge a formal complaint against them and the specific doctor. to be honest, it is irrelevant if they are the only GP practice in Scotland (or the world). You are legally allowed MC if you meet the criteria and I think you do. Don't burn any more clinic options, there is a finite number.
Do you have a summary of care record? Do you have your medical records? You are legally allowed both and I suggest you request them on Monday. If they refuse, then make it personal and public, the more public the better. Why you need them is irrelevant. You have a legal right to them. There was a thread/post about legal help for MC users somewhere, one of the mods might know where, but I suggest you contact a firm dea,ling in it and start threatening legal action. Chances are they'll back down if their careers are on the line. If not, well, bury them. I hate to use bad language, but fk them and let their god sort them out. These sorts of doctors need be removed from the NHS. We have enough issues as is.
So I don't know if this will work, but.... If you are not in a GP practice, but have your medical records and Summary Care record, can you apply for MC? Maybe someone else knows. But given that Integro won't send my GP anything related to me and my MC journey I suspect the answer is maybe yes. So divorce yourself from your GP practice and apply for it. Given your history i'm sure there is a route to using the hospitals directly for your condition, but probably also a route into a different practice.
I'll admit this sort of makes my blood boil. But don't take any crap from doctors that are anti-cannabis.
Only a specialist can prescribe medical cannabis, a specialist is more qualified than any GP to make such a judgement. You can refuse sharing your data with a GP from any cannabis clinic, though many now try bake your permission for data-sharing into their terms of service and won't treat you without it. Generally speaking they have a duty to keep your primary care informed.
There's a few different avenues you can consider:
Source your "summary of care" direct from your current GP (you have a right to request and they can't say no), and don't involve them in the sign-up process. If you self-supply a SOC to a MC clinic, that's all a clinic has to judge your application on - your GPcould complain after acceptance when they're eventually notified, but that cuts them out of the sign-up procedure entirely.
Find a private GP online, explain the situation to them, sign-up to a clinic once on-boarded there - it can be remote, doesn't have to be local whatsoever. I first signed up to UK MC using my USA doctor's details (was legitimately my primary care practitioner at the time). They don't even have to be in the country, as long as they become your primary care practitioner/GP.
Challenge the GP directly on incorrect medical history documentation, you could consider booking a specialist psychiatrist online and asking them to write a letter to your GP explaining why they believe you're infact suitable for cannabis and prior medical history or diagnosis was incorrect. Obviously, the specialist will have to independently agree that's the case.
Either way, ultimately it's not down to your GP whether you're prescribed or not - it's down to specialists, and you have every right to seek private healthcare elsewhere from a specialist. As I alluded to above, clinics are risk-adverse, partly due to their own indemnity/insurances, to get prescribed you need to not be someone they consider to be a risk that could cause future issues from them.
All hope isn't lost, but given the fact you can't reasonably join another local GP practice - you're going to have to fight for this in other ways.
I did get my own SOC records from the GP, however on the front page is Sociopathic personality disorder from 1992, I wasnt even aware of this until I got my SOC, it still is listed as a current condition! I was upfront on the initial call with the clinic I am trying to go with, I explained exactly how I thought it had been diagnosed and at their suggestion I backed it up with Medical evidence, I was sectioned in 1992 for psychosis, but even the record from the no longer existing Mental Hospital, says on the discharge summary the differential diagnosis is SPD OR Epilepsy. I had a fractured skull in early 1992 and thats when things started going wrong, I would loose time etc and some other odd things like visions, but keep in mind there were few hospitals with CAT scans, all I got was a Xray.
The hospital records also mention the ward staff witnessing seizures (all before you had the right to SAR), so I was completely unaware of these seizures, for a long time I had them but zero diagnoses and because of the area of the brain affected it was like having your memory wiped. Fast forward a a couple of decades, I had another head injury at work, and they did a MRI, I was asked to have a EEG done, when this was done thats when they diagnosed Temporal lobe epilepsy, it took a very long time to control as I cant digest tablets easily due to Crohns, so I was eventually put on a liquid form of my drug in 2016 and BINGO I have had very few issues since, occasional vacant seizures that I'm not really aware of and dont give me any problems except I cant drive.
I did offer to pay this new clinic to speak with one of their specialist, they initially agreed but now apparently he isnt available, my concern with a private GP is both cost, but more importantly I am concerned it would affect my hospital treatment.
The other issue is in my early medical records they have really annoyingly put I have had substantial injuries from continuous fights.....What it dosnt mention is I used to Box from 1986 to 1998! Thats were my hospital visit came from!! Not street brawls!
I'm looking into challenging my records, BUT, it appears you can put a note on saying you dont agree but actually getting it off your records is not really possible in practice. Ive supplied medical records from psychiatrists saying I dont have any major Mental health problems (apart from occasional mild depression and short term memory loss). I did look recently at a private GP but at nearly £750 It isnt something I can afford.
I hear what your saying about GP's and not being able to stop you, but its a similar situation with Clinics technically not allowed to restrict your pharmacy, but it happens. I have rang a number of clinics lately, all are eager if they think your straight forward, but they seem to ghost you the moment you submit your SOC records.
I am English and have lived in Scotland roughly 20 years, I got my medical file in 2020 for a unsuccessful PIP claim, most of my English records were missing and it took me a year to get everything from around 1990 up until 2020, So I have more records than my GP, my early records are gone, but considering my age that dosnt surprise as no computers back in the day.
I will plod on until I run out of clinics I can afford. VERY frustrating as I have been really open to the clinics and supplied records, but I was always aware that my GP practice is anti everything! really considering a move back to England to get a choice of GP's, but my hospital team here are really good.
The ultimate irony, i'm a fully qualified Toxicologist with 3 decades of experience, easpecially in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. A masters in Biochemistry and my PhD in toxicology, Ive even held a advisory post in the scottish Gov for a former Drug and Alcohol minister.
Sadly I had to retire early as my Crohns has progessively got worse
So first thing you need to do is contact the NHS and lodge a formal complaint against them and the specific doctor. to be honest, it is irrelevant if they are the only GP practice in Scotland (or the world). You are legally allowed MC if you meet the criteria and I think you do. Don't burn any more clinic options, there is a finite number.
Do you have a summary of care record? Do you have your medical records? You are legally allowed both and I suggest you request them on Monday. If they refuse, then make it personal and public, the more public the better. Why you need them is irrelevant. You have a legal right to them. There was a thread/post about legal help for MC users somewhere, one of the mods might know where, but I suggest you contact a firm dea,ling in it and start threatening legal action. Chances are they'll back down if their careers are on the line. If not, well, bury them. I hate to use bad language, but fk them and let their god sort them out. These sorts of doctors need be removed from the NHS. We have enough issues as is.
So I don't know if this will work, but.... If you are not in a GP practice, but have your medical records and Summary Care record, can you apply for MC? Maybe someone else knows. But given that Integro won't send my GP anything related to me and my MC journey I suspect the answer is maybe yes. So divorce yourself from your GP practice and apply for it. Given your history i'm sure there is a route to using the hospitals directly for your condition, but probably also a route into a different practice.
I'll admit this sort of makes my blood boil. But don't take any crap from doctors that are anti-cannabis.
I have my summary of care and all medical records up until 2020, the clinic you mention is the one I am currently trying and they are the ones who contacted my GP. Hopefully I can sort it out with them as they seem excellent. As for legal action, the legal system in Scotland is different to England, it would be extremely hard to get a solicitor to take it on, I tried something similar for somebody else, very very few solicitors who even deal with this kind of thing up here, and most are extremely crap.
Not so fun fact.....In England you buy a house normally through a Estate agent, In Scotland you buy one through a Solicitor, as in Solicitors up are the people who list houses for sale, no estate agents as such, so guess what most solicitors do up here? Yep sell houses and little else!
Do you have any family in England or outside of Scotland? If yes, could you go on holiday and register at an English GP practice for a couple of months, then get into the system as an English patient. Then order enough to get you through the next 6 or so months. Then re-register in Scotland. Rinse repeat every year. It's a bit of a long winded approach but the problem is the GP, so remove the GP from the equation by changing GP practice. I wonder if you couldn't do the same if you were to go on holiday to a caravan somewhere over the border and register with a local GP and then initiate everything.
Well i considered that I might buy some land or live in Scotland, but after your horror story, maybe not. I think i'll just stay on this side of the border and avoid the hassle.
But you have to lodge a complaint against the GP and the practice. The complaint has to be next level damaging to the practice as well because that sort of policy is unacceptable. Within the NHS if they are the only practice you can use, they can't kick you for it. In a city they might do, but then you'd have probably moved to a different practice by now if you could. For me and since I really wouldn't care, i'd send a Scottish newspaper the story and see if they want to take it on. Possibly a double edged sword, but if a story runs about a GP surgery blocking patients with Epilepsy from getting effective private treatments, shit is going to hit the fan one way or the other. The surgery can't comment on your case due to data protection, but they will have to fess up on the cannabis policy. If you are getting discriminated against, then they are potentially discriminating against children and others with epilepsy for which cannabis might be a more useful and better treatment plan.
Do you have any family in England or outside of Scotland? If yes, could you go on holiday and register at an English GP practice for a couple of months, then get into the system as an English patient. Then order enough to get you through the next 6 or so months. Then re-register in Scotland. Rinse repeat every year. It's a bit of a long winded approach but the problem is the GP, so remove the GP from the equation by changing GP practice. I wonder if you couldn't do the same if you were to go on holiday to a caravan somewhere over the border and register with a local GP and then initiate everything.
Well i considered that I might buy some land or live in Scotland, but after your horror story, maybe not. I think i'll just stay on this side of the border and avoid the hassle.
But you have to lodge a complaint against the GP and the practice. The complaint has to be next level damaging to the practice as well because that sort of policy is unacceptable. Within the NHS if they are the only practice you can use, they can't kick you for it. In a city they might do, but then you'd have probably moved to a different practice by now if you could. For me and since I really wouldn't care, i'd send a Scottish newspaper the story and see if they want to take it on. Possibly a double edged sword, but if a story runs about a GP surgery blocking patients with Epilepsy from getting effective private treatments, shit is going to hit the fan one way or the other. The surgery can't comment on your case due to data protection, but they will have to fess up on the cannabis policy. If you are getting discriminated against, then they are potentially discriminating against children and others with epilepsy for which cannabis might be a more useful and better treatment plan.
It woildnt work, for a start you would have to register as a full patient and not just a temporary one, when you do that the clinic would not get a SOC record it would say NEW patient, so they would either ask for old GP or simply refuse.
As for kicking me out the GP practice.......There are a good few where I live who no longer have a GP! They were kicked, one major issue for us is our GP practice is a Training Practice, The NHS here think they walk on water, we dont pay for prescriptions, it comes out the practice budget up here, many of us had our meds cuts due to costs! a good number did complain and now have no GP, seriously you have to live in a small rural scottish town to believe the shit they get away with!
I would move, but my records would follow me. The English NHS system isnt linked to the Scottish one, when I first moved here I couldnt get medication for 5 weeks until my records arrived.....BY POST!
There is much I like about Scotland, but much I really hate. I did suggest this evening to my partner that we move to England, she wont go, but thats a sacrifice I would make! lol
My main issue is my Biologic medication, I take it every two weeks at the moment but due to go back to weekly, I cant do without it. coming off it for more than a couple of weeks means my body wouldnt except the drug again, and its the last Drug option I have left.
I will find a way to get MC, but its probably going to be expensive at least to start with. I have been saving up but it isnt much, my credit card dosnt have much on it at the moment, so maybe have to bite the bullet and start expensive with a private Dr rather than a clinic. I really dont know.
But im not willing to give up yet.
This isnt going to be popular, but up here especially where I live, there is currently alot of racism for English people, mainly due to local factors and independence is becoming a big issue again in my area. people who used to talk to me daily no longer even look at me. In the cities its different, so maybe moving up to Glasgow may be an option. I dont like cities but ive never had a problem there, its way more friendly than where I currently live.
