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CQC Registered Clinic

Specialist Consultations for Chronic Pain

Persistent pain that hasn't responded to standard treatment deserves a specialist who listens. Our GMC-registered doctors assess fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, arthritis, and other long-term conditions via secure video call from home.
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Video consultation
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GMC registered doctors
payments
From £70 / £9.99 pm
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Free clinic transfers
28m
UK adults living with chronic pain


The scale of chronic pain in the UK

You are not alone in this

Chronic pain — pain lasting three months or longer — is one of the most undertreated conditions in the UK. The scale of the problem is stark.
28m
UK adults living with chronic pain — 43% of the adult population
18+
months
Average NHS pain clinic waiting time across many regions
41%
of chronic pain clinic patients say pain has stopped them from working.
2018
Year medical cannabis became legally prescribable in the UK
Chronic pain is not something to push through. It is a recognised medical condition — one the NHS treats with waiting lists measured in years and analgesic prescribing that has raised serious long-term dependency concerns.
According to the British Pain Society, chronic pain affects more UK adults than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined.
NaturecanClinic offers a regulated, specialist alternative. Our doctors review each patient's full medical history and — where clinically appropriate — explore the full range of options available. A consultation does not guarantee a prescription. It guarantees a doctor who listens.
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"Chronic pain is a recognised medical condition. You've tried the system. There are other options to explore — and you deserve access to a specialist who can help you understand them."
Dr David Tang
Medical Director, NaturecanClinic
Conditions we assess

Who comes to NaturecanClinic

Our doctors see a wide range of chronic pain conditions. If yours isn't listed, eligibility is always assessed individually.
healing

Fibromyalgia

Characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties — often called "fibro fog". NHS England estimates fibromyalgia affects around 1 in 20 people in the UK, many waiting years for diagnosis.
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Neuropathic (Nerve) Pain

Caused by damage or dysfunction of the nervous system. Presents as burning, shooting, or electric-shock sensations. Includes diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and nerve injury pain. NICE recognises the limited effectiveness of first-line treatments for many patients.
accessibility

Arthritis & Joint Pain

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis affect around 10 million people in the UK. For many, standard analgesic and anti-inflammatory approaches provide insufficient long-term relief, making specialist assessment necessary.
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Chronic Back Pain

Back pain lasting three months or more affects millions of UK adults and is among the leading causes of disability. When physiotherapy, NSAIDs, or nerve blocks have not provided sufficient relief, a specialist assessment can help identify remaining options.
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Musculoskeletal Pain

Conditions affecting muscles, tendons, bones, and connective tissues — including workplace injury, sports-related damage, and long-term degenerative conditions. Arthritis UK identifies musculoskeletal conditions as the leading cause of disability in the UK.
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Endometriosis & Women's Pain

Affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, takes an average of 8 years to diagnose, and is frequently undertreated within the NHS pathway. Associated pelvic pain — cyclical or constant — deserves specialist attention.
Not listed? Eligibility is always assessed individually. See all conditions →
When the system hasn't helped

The NHS waiting list is not the end of the road

You should not have to wait 18 months while pain affects your sleep, your work, and your sense of self. There are regulated alternatives.
  • schedule NHS pain clinic waiting times average 18+ months across many regions in England [NHS England]
  • trending_up Opioid prescribing for chronic pain increased by 400% in the UK over the past decade [The Lancet eClinicalMedicine]
  • science Medical cannabis has been legally prescribable in the UK since 2018 — the vast majority of prescriptions come through private specialist clinics [UK Government]
  • group An estimated 60,000–80,000 patients now hold UK medical cannabis prescriptions, the majority for chronic pain [UKMCCS]
info How a consultation works
NHS Pain Clinic
18+ months
NaturecanClinic
Days
info
Average NHS pain clinic wait —
NHS England RTT data
No
GP referral required
Free
Clinic transfers
2018
Legal in UK since

↗

The process

Three steps to a specialist assessment

No GP referral needed. Video consultation from home.
1

Check your eligibility

Complete our short eligibility questionnaire. You should have lived with your condition for at least three months and tried at least two forms of treatment.
Takes around 3 minutes. No commitment required.
2

Book and pay online

Choose a date and time. Pay securely online — Klarna buy-now-pay-later is available, making NaturecanClinic the first UK medical cannabis clinic to offer flexible payments.
£70 one-off annual fee or £9.99/month.
3

Attend your video consultation

Your specialist doctor reviews your medical history, discusses your condition and previous treatments, and determines whether a prescription is clinically appropriate. The clinical decision rests entirely with your doctor.
Secure video call from any device, at home.
Who can be seen

Are you eligible?

Most patients with a diagnosed chronic pain condition who have tried other treatments may be eligible for a consultation. Eligibility for a consultation does not guarantee that a prescription will be issued — all prescribing decisions are made independently by your doctor, based on individual clinical suitability and safety.
  • check_circle Living with your condition for at least 3 months
  • check_circle Tried at least two other treatments — medication, physiotherapy, or other therapies all count
  • check_circle No history of psychosis or schizophrenia
  • check_circle Aged 18 or over
  • check_circle Access to your medical history — you will need to provide your Summary Care Record. Our patient care team can help you request it from your GP or via the NHS App.
Not sure? The eligibility checker takes 3 minutes — no commitment required.
Take the eligibility checker
Person filling out the eligibility questionnaire on their phone sat on the sofa
science

About the evidence base

Medical cannabis is prescribed in the UK on a case-by-case basis, informed by a growing body of clinical research. NICE guidelines on chronic pain acknowledge the need for broader treatment options, and the UK Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society publishes updated prescribing frameworks. All clinical decisions at NaturecanClinic are made by GMC-registered doctors. We do not make efficacy claims — treatment appropriateness is determined by your doctor following an individual assessment.
Treatment considerations

Important information before you proceed

Medical cannabis is a prescription medicine, not a wellness product. All clinical decisions are made independently by your doctor based on individual suitability and safety. Eligibility for a consultation does not guarantee that a prescription will be issued.

Side effects

Prescribed cannabis medicines can cause side effects including dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, changes in appetite, and cognitive effects such as difficulty concentrating. Some patients experience mood changes or heightened anxiety, particularly at higher doses or during the initial titration period. Your doctor will discuss these risks during your consultation.

Driving and impairment

Certain prescribed cannabis medicines may impair your ability to drive safely. It is a criminal offence to drive while impaired by a controlled drug. You must not drive if your medicine affects your reaction time, judgement, or awareness. Your prescribing doctor will advise you on driving restrictions as part of your treatment plan.

Dependency and tolerance

Regular use of cannabis medicines carries a risk of psychological dependence in some patients. Tolerance — where the same dose produces a reduced effect over time — can also develop. Your doctor will monitor for these risks and will discuss a plan for reviewing or adjusting your treatment if concerns arise.

Who may not be suitable

Cannabis medicines are not appropriate for everyone. Treatment is unlikely to be suitable if you have a personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia, severe cardiovascular disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are under 18. Patients with a history of substance dependency will undergo additional assessment. Your doctor will review your full medical history before making any prescribing decision.

Ongoing monitoring

Treatment at NaturecanClinic involves regular clinical review, not a one-off prescription. Patients are expected to attend follow-up consultations, complete symptom tracking, and engage with their care team. If your condition changes, a new doctor assessment will be required before treatment continues. Prescriptions may be paused or stopped if monitoring raises concerns.

Drug interactions

Cannabis medicines can interact with other prescribed medications, including blood thinners, antidepressants, antiepileptics, and immunosuppressants. You must disclose all current medications to your doctor. Do not start, stop, or change any other medication without informing your NaturecanClinic doctor first.

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All prescribing decisions at Naturecan Clinic are made independently by GMC-registered specialist doctors, based on individual clinical assessment. Eligibility for a consultation does not guarantee a prescription will be issued. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits honestly, and will not prescribe where the clinical evidence does not support it.

Ready to take the next step?

You've been managing this long enough

A 3-minute eligibility check. No GP referral. No commitment until you're ready.
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CQC Registered
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GMC Registered Doctors
payments
Klarna Available
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Free Transfers
Your questions answered

Frequently asked questions

verified_user
Reviewed by Dr David Tang, Medical Director — May 2026
Can I get a medical cannabis prescription for chronic pain in the UK? add
Yes. If you have been diagnosed with a chronic pain condition and have tried at least two other treatments without sufficient relief, you may be eligible for a consultation at NaturecanClinic. A specialist doctor will assess your full medical history and determine whether a prescription is appropriate. The clinical decision rests entirely with your doctor.
Is medical cannabis legal for chronic pain in the UK? add
Yes. Medical cannabis has been legally prescribable in the UK since November 2018 and can be prescribed by specialist doctors for a range of conditions including chronic pain. Prescriptions are issued on a case-by-case basis following a thorough individual assessment. See the
UK Government guidance
for more detail.
Do I need a GP referral to book a consultation? add
No. You can self-refer directly — no GP referral is required. You will need to provide a
Summary Care Record
as part of the assessment. Our patient care team can help you request this from your GP or access it via the NHS App.
What is a Summary Care Record and how do I get one? add
A Summary Care Record (SCR) is a digital record of your key medical information held by the NHS — including current medications, allergies, and relevant diagnoses. You can request it from your GP surgery, or access it through the
NHS App
. Our
full guide to obtaining your SCR
walks through both routes — it typically takes 3–5 working days.
Can I get medical cannabis if the NHS hasn't helped my pain? add
Many of our patients come to us after exhausting NHS options or waiting on long pain clinic lists. Having tried NHS treatment — or being on a waiting list — counts toward the eligibility criteria. If you continue to live with significant pain despite other approaches, you are likely to be eligible. The
eligibility checker
will confirm in around 3 minutes.
Is medical cannabis the same as CBD? add
No — they are fundamentally different. CBD products are unregulated wellness supplements available without a prescription. Prescribed medical cannabis is a regulated prescription medicine, issued by a specialist doctor and reviewed as clinically appropriate for your individual situation. The two are not equivalent and should not be treated as alternatives.
Does medical cannabis help with fibromyalgia? add
A growing body of clinical research is examining medical cannabis in the context of fibromyalgia. It is a recognised condition in UK specialist prescribing frameworks. Our doctors assess each patient individually and will discuss the current evidence honestly during your consultation. We do not make efficacy claims — your doctor will be transparent about what the evidence does and does not show.
Can I transfer my prescription from another clinic? add
Yes. NaturecanClinic offers free clinic transfers for patients currently being treated elsewhere. You will need to provide evidence of your existing patient status — typically a letter from your current clinic. Our patient care team manages the process.
Find out more about transferring your prescription →
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This is not an emergency service
If you or someone else is in danger, or you are experiencing a mental health crisis — do not use this complaints form.
Patients experiencing severe deterioration in mental health, thoughts of self-harm, acute psychiatric symptoms, or severe side effects should seek urgent medical support immediately. The complaints and feedback process is not the right pathway for urgent or emergency situations.
If your concern is not urgent — for example, a question about your prescription, an experience during a consultation, or a process issue — please continue to the feedback and complaints section below. All complaints are handled confidentially and will not affect your care.