CQC Registered

Specialist Medical Cannabis Care for Acquired Brain Injury

Consultant-led neuropsychiatric prescribing with structured harm-reduction, safety monitoring and MDT collaboration.
Refer a patient

A CQC-registered clinic partnering with Deputies and Case Managers to improve quality of life for patients with complex neurological needs.

Why CANN ABI?

We are a consultant-led medical clinic dedicated exclusively to the supportive treatment of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) through the regulated use of Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products (CBMPs).

CQC Regulated

We operate under strict Care Quality Commission governance to ensure patient safety.

ABI Specialist

We are not a general pain clinic. Our consultants are experts in neurology and rehabilitation.

MDT Collaboration

We do not work in isolation. We communicate directly with case managers, physios, and lead clinicians.

Designed for Complex Neuro-Behavioural Presentations

We support patients experiencing:

• Emotional dysregulation following ABI
• Behavioural instability
• Impulsivity and executive dysfunction
• Sleep disturbance
• Risk of forensic escalation
• Ongoing illicit cannabis use where harm reduction is appropriate

We operate within a formal clinical governance framework, incorporating:

  • Mental Capacity Act 2005 compliance
  • Best Interests decision-making (where required)
  • Monthly structured monitoring
  • Risk stabilisation focus
  • Harm-reduction models
  • GP notification for every patient

A Structured Clinical Pathway

Stage 1 - Instruction & Capacity Review

  • Formal referral via Case Manager/Deputy
  • Mental Capacity assessment
  • Best Interests framework (where applicable)
  • GP SCR retrieval
  • Confirmation of failure of licensed treatments

Stage 2 - Specialist Assessment

  • 60-minute Consultant Psychiatrist assessment

  • Neuro-psychiatric screening

  • Suitability matrix (harm reduction focus)

  • Titration protocol established

Stage 3 - Maintenance & Monitoring

  • Tier-based ongoing care

  • Monthly review

  • Structured safety checklist

  • MDT collaboration

View Full Pathway

TIERED CARE MODEL

Care That Matches Neuro-Behavioural Stability

Sustain Tier

From £300/month

For stable patients requiring nurse-led monitoring and script authorisation.

Includes:
• Monthly nurse review (20 mins)
• Monthly script authorisation
• Deputy liaison support

Complex Care Tier

From £600/month

For higher-risk or unstable neuro-behavioural presentations.

Includes:
• Monthly psychiatrist review (30–45 mins)
• Enhanced MDT reporting
• Intensive oversight

Introducing Our Experts

Dr Stoffels trained as a doctor in Antwerp and moved to Dublin to pursue specialist training in psychiatry. After lecturing in psychiatry at the University College Dublin, she moved to Oxford in 2005 and trained in general adult, old age, and rehabilitation psychiatry before moving to the field of neuropsychiatry. Dr Stoffels has worked in the field of neuropsychiatry for over two decades and has extensive experience of working with people with a wide variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, including acquired and traumatic brain injury. Dr Stoffels is passionate about ensuring the connection between physical and mental health following changes in the brain after injury, which can result in a neurobehavioural change, alongside providing evidence-based interventions, innovation, and good practice.
Dr. Martine Stoffels
Medical Director

Frequently Asked Questions

The information provided addresses common enquiries about our clinical pathway, legal framework, safety processes and treatment approach.

If your question is not covered, our team can provide further guidance through the appropriate enquiry pathway.

Cann-ABI is a specialist clinical service providing consultant-led prescribing of Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products (CBMPs) for individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and complex neuro-behavioural presentations.

Cann-ABI focuses exclusively on ABI and operates within a structured governance framework involving capacity assessment, Best Interests processes (where required), and ongoing monitoring.

Most referrals originate from:

  • Case Managers

  • Court-appointed Deputies

  • Solicitors

  • Clinicians

  • Rehabilitation providers

Self-referrals may be considered where the individual has clear decision-making capacity.

Our service is designed specifically for Acquired Brain Injury and related neuro-behavioural difficulties. We do not operate as a general medical cannabis clinic.

Referrals are reviewed for eligibility, governance requirements and treatment resistance.
If appropriate, an assessment appointment is offered.

No. Prescribing occurs only where the clinician determines that potential benefits outweigh risks.

Timeframes vary depending on documentation, capacity considerations and clinical complexity. Urgent cases can be prioritised where appropriate.

Treatment may proceed under a documented Best Interests framework in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, involving relevant professionals and decision-makers.

Yes. We operate a 100% GP notification policy for all patients.

Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products may be prescribed by clinicians on the GMC Specialist Register where clinically appropriate.

All patients undergo structured monitoring including side-effect review, behavioural stability assessment and safeguarding checks.

No. Prescribed products are administered via medical-grade vaporisation only.

Patients receive guidance on UK driving regulations and are advised not to drive if impaired.

No. Cann-ABI operates as an independent specialist service.

Fees include assessment, protocol setup and ongoing monitoring tiers. Full details are available on the Pricing page.

Cann-ABI is not an emergency service. Urgent medical or psychiatric concerns should be directed to appropriate services.