GP private consultation in regard to prescribing Cannabis to patients

Summary

The requester asked for information regarding a government consultation with GPs on prescribing medicinal cannabis. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed the content of an email sent to GPs and the resulting survey responses indicating low interest in prescribing.

Key Facts

• An email was sent to GPs on 1st December 2020 to gauge interest in prescribing NICE approved medicinal cannabis.
• GPs were informed that prescribing would require registration on the 'specialist register' with the GMC.
• A total of 19 responses were received from GPs within two weeks of the email.
• 17 GPs stated they would not be interested in prescribing medicinal cannabis.
• 2 GPs expressed interest in undertaking the prescribing of medicinal cannabis.

Data Disclosed

• 1st December 2020
• 15th December 2020
• 19 Responses
• 17 GPs
• 2 GPs
• 2019
• 1584097

Original Request

I'm formally requesting all information in regards to the Govt consultation with GP's for the prescribing of medicinal cannabis.

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Interim Chief Executive: Kathryn Magson Freedom of Information Team Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3QA

Tel: (01624) 642621 Email: dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc

Our ref: 1584097 15th December 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on the 1st December 2020 and
states:

"I'm formally requesting all information in regards to the Government
consultation with GP's for the prescribing of medicinal cannabis."

Our response: Content of email sent to GPs on the 1st December 2020 by the Department: “Dear Colleagues, The issue of prescribing of medicinal cannabis is being discussed within the Department. I am aware that there was a view, expressed I believe via a consultation facilitated by Public Health, that GPs didn’t wish to be involved in prescribing of medicinal cannabis. However I’ve been asked to request individual responses on this matter.
If a decision is made that NICE approved medicinal cannabis drugs can be prescribed under certain conditions, would any of you be interested in undertaking this? My understanding is that you need to be registered on the ‘specialist register’ with the GMC and would need clinical competencies in this area.

I’d be grateful for a response via the attached voting buttons.” Responses received within two weeks of this email: • 19 Responses received in total • 17 GPs said no they would not be interested in prescribing • 2 GPs said that they would be interested in prescribing

Feedback from one doctor stated “The NICE guidance says that medicinal cannabis should be initiated by a doctor on the specialist register – that would usually be a consultant grade or a doctor with dual registration on the specialist register and GP register.” To provide further advice or assistance, may I draw your attention to the previous formal public consultation conducted by the Department of Health and Social Care in 2019. This includes the consultation analysis and published consultation report. https://consult.gov.im/health-and-social-care/medicinal-cannabis/ Please quote the reference number 1584097 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely