What health records do I need for medical cannabis?

What are health records?

Health records, also known as medical records or health information, are a collection of documents and files that contain important health-related information about your previous and current medical condition/s, treatments, and medications.

In the UK, a patient's main health records are referred to as their Summary of Care Records (SCR) and these are maintained and managed by your GP.

Summary of Care Records (SCR) explained

The SCR is a national system used by healthcare professionals in the UK and contains critical health information, including your:

• Medications - all previous and current prescribed medications
• Allergies - any known allergies you may have
• Medical history - details about past and current health conditions, including surgeries, treatment plans, and any significant medical events
• Immunisations - record of previous and current vaccinations
• Adverse reactions - any known adverse reactions to medications or treatments

Does my SCR cover my entire medical history?

Your SCR is a summary of your primary healthcare records, but it may not include all the details or information from specialist treatments or consultations.

Will Releaf need access to further health records?

In most cases, your SCR will provide the information our clinical team needs to assess whether you may qualify for medical cannabis treatment, but some patients will need to provide further information.

If we find that your SCR is missing any essential information when assessing your case, our clinicians will ask for you to provide supporting evidence. This may include a letter from any specialist you have been seeing or copies of any relevant medical documents.

How does Releaf access my health records?

There are a few routes to consider, but the fastest is to simply use the integrated NHS login tool when creating your Releaf account. This gives us immediate access to your health records, and we can get started assessing your suitability for these treatments straight way.

Or, with your consent, Releaf can request access to your Summary Care Record (SCR) using your NHS number. This method usually takes a few days to process.

Alternatively, you can provide us with copies of your health records yourself, which you will need to request either directly from your GP or through the NHS app/website.

Why does Releaf need access to my health records?

It is a legal requirement for healthcare providers to have access to your health records before prescribing any medication, including medical cannabis.

Accessing your medical records is a crucial step in gaining a complete understanding of your overall health. Without access to these documents and records, our clinicians may not be able to provide you with the most suitable treatment plan, or even a medical cannabis prescription at all.

Releaf's number one priority is patient care and safety, and this includes ensuring our clinicians have all the necessary information to make informed decisions about your treatment plan.

To get the ball rolling, head to our medical cannabis eligibility checker. It's fast, free, 100% confidential, and will display your results instantly. To learn more, check out the Releaf blog and education hub.