NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the $6 million NSW Cannabis Medicines Advisory Service provides doctors with timely, high-quality clinical advice.
“We appreciate that, to date, many doctors have been unsure about whether, what or how to prescribe cannabis medicines,” Dr Chant said.
“This hotline – part of a $21 million investment in cannabis medicines research – will simplify and speed up access for doctors whose patients may benefit from this type of treatment.”
Dr Chant said doctors anywhere in NSW can ring the hotline for guidance from leading clinicians in this emerging area of medicine.
The service will provide guidance for the use of cannabis medicines, including advice on clinical management, available medicines, and dosage information. The service will also provide advice on symptom relief for palliative care patients.
“The Service will also have access to tests to help doctors monitor their patient’s progress whilst using cannabis medicines,” Dr Chant said.
“This information, together with findings from our clinical trials program, will accelerate our knowledge and understanding about the role of cannabis medicines and inform future practice.”
The advisory service is based at Hunter New England Health and is working with the Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence, based at the University of Newcastle.
NSW Cannabis Medicines Advisory Hotline for doctors and health professionals: (02) 4923 6200
For more information on the NSW Government’s cannabis medicines initiatives, visit Clinical guidance for cannabis medicine prescribers.