Mediame.guru

• 13 Feb 2020, 12:59
• Updated: 14 Feb 2020, 9:33

SCOTS suffering chronic pain will soon be able to have their lives "transformed" by cannabis - prescribed from  the country's first ever medical cannabis clinic.

Docs at the new Sapphire Medical Clinic hope to help people living with debilitating conditions including chronic back pain or arthritis.

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And with around 1.4million people across the UK using the herb, the Aberdeen-based clinic is sure to be a welcome addition to Scotland giving patients access to "world-class experts".

Dr Mikael Sodergren from the clinic said: ‘We are proud to be opening the first clinic in Scotland and have already seen first-hand how medical cannabis is transforming lives.

“That’s why we are delighted to be opening our doors to patients in Aberdeen.

“It means patients in Scotland will now have access to world-class experts in managing their condition, who also have expertise in medical cannabis.”

Despite being used by millions throughout the UK prescriptions are currently low -  leaving people having to resort to the black market.

The clinic's lead on pain Dr Michael Platt added:  “Sapphire operates to the highest standards of clinical governance so patients can be confident that any prescription of medical cannabis will be done as part of a rigorous and safe process.

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“So, by opening the clinic in Aberdeen we will be giving patients a legal, safe and medically sound route to access what they need.

“The cost in some cases might be slightly higher, but the patient will have the benefit of peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that any prescription for medical cannabis will be of a medical grade product of consistent quality.

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“They will also have the benefit of access to a supportive and knowledgeable clinical team.”

Former patient Lorna Blan admitted she was originally sceptical to try the drug.

She said: “I’ve suffered with Fibromyalgia and Degenerative Disc Disease for years.

“I was initially sceptical about trying medical cannabis.

“However, after much research I’ve been taking it for 5 months now and the improvement has been significant, with no side effects.

“I used to be able to only walk 1,000 steps a day at a push and life was very limited.

“Since securing my access to medical cannabis I can now do between 6,000 to 8,000 steps daily, walk my dog, do housework and socialise with friends.

“I’m realistic, it’s not a cure, but is effective enough to allow me to start living a more fulfilling life than I have for over 12 years.”

Sapphire Medical Clinics are in the advanced stages of securing Care Inspectorate registration for the centre,  which will operates on a GP-referral basis.