The Care Quality Commission has published findings that raise serious questions about the standard of care provided by some private medical cannabis clinics in the UK. The report highlights inconsistencies in patient assessments, follow-up protocols, and record-keeping across the sector.
What the CQC found
The regulator's review identified several areas of concern, including variations in how clinics assess patient eligibility for cannabis-based prescriptions, incomplete medical records, and a lack of standardised follow-up procedures. Some clinics were found to be operating with what the CQC described as "insufficient clinical oversight."
Patient impact
For patients, the findings raise important questions. If you're accessing treatment through a private clinic, the quality of your care depends heavily on which clinic you choose and the protocols they follow. The lack of standardisation means two patients with identical conditions could receive very different levels of care depending on where they're seen.
What needs to change
The sector has grown rapidly since the law change in 2018, but regulation has struggled to keep pace. Clearer standards, mandatory training requirements for prescribing clinicians, and better patient safeguarding protocols are urgently needed. The CQC's findings should be a wake-up call — not just for clinics, but for the regulators and policymakers who oversee them.
We'll be tracking this story closely as it develops.
