Consultation regarding GPs prescribing Cannabis

Summary

The requester asked for details regarding an internal consultation with GPs about prescribing medical cannabis, specifically seeking the number of participants, questions asked, and responses. The Department of Health and Social Care disclosed the full content of the consultation email, the voting results, and specific feedback comments from the GPs.

Key Facts

• The consultation was conducted via email sent to GPs on 1st December 2020.
• A total of 19 responses were received within two weeks.
• 17 GPs stated they would not be interested in prescribing medicinal cannabis.
• 2 GPs expressed interest in prescribing medicinal cannabis.
• Respondents cited NICE guidance requiring doctors to be on the specialist register, excluding standard GP registration.

Data Disclosed

• 1st December 2020
• 19 Responses
• 17 GPs
• 2 GPs
• 1588461
• 2019
• 2020-12-03
• 2020-12-17

Original Request

In a recent report on IoM Today, the Health Minister, David Ashford, referred to an internal consultation with GPs over the availability of medical cannabis to patients. The article quotes Mr Ashford as saying; 'While there were some GPs who were exceptionally enthusiastic about the idea, the majority of the responses were not.' Please could you release a full transcript of the consultation, or if not, a summary of: 1. The number of GPs consulted; 2. The question(s) they were asked; 3. The answers they gave; 4. Any free format comments they may have given, whether solicited or not. I understand the responses should remain anonymous, so redacted to anonymise them is acceptable.

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: 1588461 15th December 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on the 3rd December 2020 and states:

“In a recent report on IoM Today, the Health Minister, David Ashford, referred to an internal consultation with GPs over the availability of medical cannabis to patients. The article quotes Mr Ashford as saying; 'While there were some GPs who were exceptionally enthusiastic about the idea, the majority of the responses were not.' Please could you release a full transcript of the consultation, or if not, a summary of: 1. The number of GPs consulted; 2. The question(s) they were asked; 3. The answers they gave; 4. Any free format comments they may have given, whether solicited or not. I understand the responses should remain anonymous, so redacted to anonymise them is acceptable.”

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 GPs 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.” • “As I suspected, Specialist Register means DAT, Anaesthetics (Pain), Neurology possibly Rheumatology. And then under NICE or equivalent Professional guidelines. Specifically not the GP register. So Consultants with good cause. Shared Care is specifically excluded I am sure the Minister has spoken to our resident Pain Consultant? Though Dr * may have advice about the GMC side…. I think our “enthusiasm” will be tapered by Professional Regulation….” 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 1588461 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely