Setting new standards: Releaf becomes a GMC designated body

Clinical excellence isn’t just something we talk about at Releaf, it’s something we actively achieve. 

As Releaf’s Medical Director, I’m thrilled to make my premier blog post to announce our latest development in this area: we’ve become one of the first medical cannabis clinics in the UK to receive GMC designated body status. 

But, ‘what does this actually mean?’ you may be wondering. 

Well, don’t worry, I’m here to tell you! 

What is a GMC designated body?

The General Medical Council - or GMC - are the public body in the UK that maintain the official register of medical practitioners. GMC designated bodies are responsible for supporting their doctors to ensure they remain up to date and fit to practice, to make sure our patients receive the highest standards of care. 

While this seems relatively straightforward to those who have never worked in UK healthcare, in reality, these titles aren’t handed out lightly, and gaining this status is a significant achievement - especially in the world of medical cannabis.

As an organisation, we can now directly oversee the revalidation process for the doctors who prescribe medical cannabis and cannabis oil through Releaf to give our patients peace of mind, ensure best practice, and ultimately, set new standards for the industry. 

What being a GMC designated body means

Achieving a GMC designated body status means we can ensure the highest standards of medical practice within Releaf. But, how will this be implemented, and what's in store? 

Well…

1. Annual appraisals for every doctor ‘connected’ to Releaf to assess their performance, and continued professional development. 
2. Revalidations to the GMC every five years, which means we will recommend whether our connected doctors should continue to be registered to practice depending on the results of their annual appraisals. 
3. And finally, the implementation of a responsible officer (me!) to oversee the revalidation process in-house, ensure all necessary requirements are met, and that GMC standards for patient safety are being upheld. 

Who else has GMC designated body status?

There is only one other medical cannabis clinic in the UK who have achieved this status, and now Releaf sits alongside other widely recognised healthcare providers and organisations like Nuffield Health, Harley Street, The Air Ambulance Service, and NHS Trusts, on the GMC designated body register. 

To see who else is a GMC designated body, you can access the full list here. 

How will this benefit Releaf patients?

Becoming a GMC designated body means putting our patients first. 

We now have the authority - and responsibility - of appraising, supporting, and evaluating our doctors on a regular basis. 

By continually assessing our clinical team, we can ensure the latest standards of good medical practice are being implemented on a daily basis, without waiting five years for revalidation. In turn, this allows our doctors to reflect on their own work, stay updated with the latest clinical guidelines and continuously improve. 

For patients, this translates into consistent, high-quality care and prescribing decisions.

In a developing area of medicine and healthcare, patients want, need, and deserve, reassurance that we’re doing everything to not only the letter of the law, but, in their best interest. This new status gives our patients confidence that they’re receiving care from a regulated, trusted environment that has impeccable clinical oversight and expertise. 

How will this benefit the UK medical cannabis industry?

Now we’re a GMC designated body, we’re not just following regulations - we’re constantly trying to improve them.

As the designated Responsible Officer, I can swiftly address any issues that may occur and implement new standard operating procedures within Releaf with the oversight and approval of the board. This allows me to share the protocols that are effective, so other clinics can follow our lead and help set new safety standards across the board. 

How will Releaf’s GMC designated body status impact healthcare as a whole?

Although medical cannabis has been a legal treatment option in the UK since 2018, representation within medical fields is still lacking, and many remain unsure of how these treatments, their applications, and the clinical governance that surrounds them, actually work. 

We hope this prestigious appointment will help to transition medical cannabis clinics into the mainstream, so they can be viewed in a similar light to conventional healthcare providers. 

The status is not given to just any organisation, designated bodies and responsible officers have to meet the rigorous standards required by the GMC and prove they have a robust appraisal system.  We believe by attaining this status, we show our continued commitment to excellence in healthcare and safety, setting a precedent for others to follow. 

We are proud to be leading the way here, and this status ensures that doctors continue to provide the highest standard of care, especially to our Releaf patients.

If you’re ready to start your new healthcare journey with a clinic that’s setting the highest standards in the industry, we’d be proud to support you. Join Releaf today and experience medical cannabis care backed by clinical excellence.