Claiming Social Care Support for Medical Cannabis Patients in the UK

Medical cannabis patients in the UK who receive social care packages from their local authority can apply to have their cannabis-based prescription medicines (CBPM) costs assessed as Disability Related Expenditure (DRE). If accepted, this may reduce the costs of their social care charges but does not cover costs of the cannabis prescription. Understanding Social Care Charges Under Section 14 of the Care Act 2014, local authorities can charge for social care, but they must ensure that such charges are fair and transparent. A financial assessment will determine what an individual can afford, factoring in: The assessment will disregard: Claiming CBPM Costs as DRE Patients can request that their CBPM prescription costs be considered DRE. While many councils have predefined checklists of eligible expenses, additional items may also be considered if supported by evidence. Local authorities must follow the Care Act 2014 principles, which include promoting individual wellbeing, social inclusion, and independence. If prescription costs are not accepted as DRE, it could be considered a breach of the Act, especially if this impacts a patient’s wellbeing or independence. Supporting Your Claim To claim CBPM costs as DRE, patients must provide evidence demonstrating: Unfortunately, many councils may not accept evidence from medical cannabis prescribers and instead require support from a GP and/or healthcare consultant. Patients are encouraged to request a supporting letter from their GP or healthcare consultant, detailing the necessity of CBPM and its role in reducing other treatments, such as opioids. If Your Claim Is Denied If a local authority rejects your request to classify CBPM costs as DRE, you can: The Ombudsman can recommend remedies for councils to implement. While their recommendations are not legally binding, councils rarely refuse to comply. Ensure that all medical evidence is shared with the Council and the Ombudsman. Example Case In a recent case (LGSCO reference: 24 001 331), Brighton & Hove City Council was found at fault for mishandling a social care assessment. Patients can use such precedents to support their claims. In the recent review by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO), significant concerns were raised regarding how a council handled a patient’s request to include medical cannabis costs as Disability Related Expenditure (DRE): Implications This case highlights the importance of councils adhering to their legal duty to consider all relevant evidence and provide transparent justifications for their decisions. Patients who encounter similar challenges are encouraged to challenge such decisions through formal complaints and escalate them to the Ombudsman if necessary. Key Takeaways For further guidance: Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman: https://www.lgo.org.uk/ Care Act Statutory Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-statutory-guidance/care-and-support-statutory-guidance Medical Cannabis as Disability Related Expenditure Social Care Case Playlist by Cannabis is Medicine UK: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmL0L5mPiFAUwDl6bG51wPOu-53MGGQMo By understanding the process and advocating for your rights, you can ensure fair consideration of your medical cannabis prescription costs within your social care assessment.
Network Rail’s Medical Cannabis Policy: A Cause for Concern

At PatientsCann UK, we are deeply concerned by Network Rail’s recently issued safety advice (NRA24-13), which imposes a blanket ban on employees using prescribed medical cannabis outside the limited conditions recognised by NICE guidelines. This policy not only impacts employees’ health and livelihoods but also risks violating their rights under the Equality Act 2010. What the Policy Entails The policy mandates automatic suspension for employees prescribed medical cannabis for conditions not covered by NICE, such as chronic pain or mental health conditions. It requires cessation of treatment and proof of a “clean” test before reinstatement, regardless of the employee’s role or whether their prescription affects their ability to perform their duties.This approach disregards the fact that medical cannabis is often prescribed as a last resort after other treatments fail. Forcing patients to abandon their effective treatment places undue pressure on their well-being. Equality and Discrimination Concerns The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals with disabilities or long-term conditions, requiring employers to make reasonable adjustments rather than imposing blanket restrictions. Network Rail’s stance risks discrimination by disproportionately affecting those with legally prescribed medical cannabis treatments. Call for Change PatientsCann UK has written to Network Rail, urging them to: We believe policies should focus on functional assessments, rather than blanket assumptions about impairment. Other potentially impairing medications, such as opioids, are managed on a case-by-case basis, medical cannabis should be no different. Share Your Story If you or someone you know has been affected by this policy, we want to hear from you. Your experiences can help us challenge these injustices and push for fairer workplace practices. 📩 Contact us via email at info@patientscann.org.uk. Together, we can advocate for equality, inclusivity, and the rights of medical cannabis patients. 💚 Join us in making a difference.