Palliative Care for Kidney Failure with Medical Cannabis
Kidney Failure occurs when your kidneys lose their ability to sufficiently filter waste from your blood. When this happens, your body can become overloaded with toxins which can be life-threatening if left untreated. If the condition progresses significantly, it can eventually become fatal and patients may require palliative care.
What are the symptoms?
In some cases, Kidney Failure may cause no signs or symptoms and may need to be detected though lab tests. However, common signs and symptoms of the condition may include:
- A reduced output of urine
- Swollen of legs, ankles, and feet
- Shortness of breath
- Drowsiness and fatigue
- Persistent nausea
- Seizures
- Coma
Cause and treatment
A person may develop Kidney Failure if they have a condition that slows blood flow to the kidneys, or if damage is done directly to the kidneys. The condition may also occur if the kidneys’ drainage tubes (ureters) become blocked and waste becomes unable to leave the body through urine.
Conditions and diseases that may reduce blood flow to the kidneys can include (but are not limited to) blood or fluid loss, heart attack, heart disease, liver failure, anaphylaxis, and severe dehydration.
There is no cure for Kidney Failure, but treatment can often relieve symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening. Treatment will depend on how far the condition has progressed and can include:
- Lifestyle changes, including changes to diet
- Medicines – can help to manage associated problems, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Dialysis – a treatment that replicates some of the kidneys’ functions
- Kidney transplant
Medical Cannabis and Liver Failure
Medical cannabis has been found to be beneficial for a number of symptoms associated with terminal conditions, including Kidney Failure. There is growing evidence that medical cannabis can also be useful for the management of Chronic Pain – a symptom associated with many terminal conditions.
Our specialist physicians are experienced in assessing individual cases and helping to determine the correct therapy for each patient. In some cases, medical cannabis may be useful in cases of palliative care where traditional treatments have failed to offer relief.

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Conditions Specialists

Dr Anup Mathew
Lead Psychiatry Specialist

Dr Anup Mathew
Consultant Psychiatrist | Clinical Lecturer
M.D., MA, MSc, BSc (Hons), MRCPsych, FHEADCP, MDCH, DCBH, PGCDM, PGCCE, MAcadMEd
Dr Mathew is a Community Psychiatrist in the NHS responsible for providing medical psychiatric support to a multi-disciplinary Primary Care Mental Health Service across East and North Kent.
Dr Mathew has extensive knowledge of mental health legislation having completed an MA in Medical Ethics and Law. He was appointed by the Ministry of Justice as a Medical Member of the First-tier Tribunal in the Social Entitlement Chamber. Dr Mathew also has a special interest in PTSD and Military Psychiatry having completed an MSc in War and Psychiatry and trained with the Royal Marines Reserve.
Dr Mathew was awarded Membership of the Academy of Medical Educators and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy following his involvement in medical education which included being a University Lecturer.
As a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Addictions Faculty, Dr Mathew has qualifications and expertise in the management of alcohol and drug misuse, particularly with co-morbid mental health problems. Due to his expertise, Dr Mathew is a Medical Examiner and Health Examiner for the General Medical Council.
Dr Mathew holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy and he is also a qualified Medical Hypnotherapist. He incorporates a holistic approach in treatment that considers how biological, psychological and social factors impact on a person’s life and recovery journey. His work ethic has always been focused on trying to improve the outcomes of people with mental illness.

Dr Gerard Sinovich
Lead Pain Specialist

Dr Gerard Sinovich
Acute and Chronic Pain Management Consultant
MBBS, FRCA, FFPMRCA
Specialisms: Musculoskeletal pain; neuropathic pain; fibromyalgia; headaches; migraines; chronic neck, upper & lower back, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle pain; myofascial pain; inflammatory and connective tissue disorders; abdominal pain; pelvic pain; post-surgical pain and cancer pain.
Dr Sinovich qualified in anaesthesia and is professionally trained to treat different pain problems, particularly musculoskeletal pain and neuropathic pain. He is well renowned in his field following completion of specialised training in Pain Management at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, a world leading hospital in pain research and management.
Dr Sinovich is a pioneer in medical cannabis prescribing to chronic pain patients in the UK. He has extensive experience in prescribing medicinal cannabis over the last 3 years with training undertaken in Canada. He has featured in cannabis health news, BBC news, and in the daily mirror on topics related to medicinal cannabis. He has presented various web-based seminars on medicinal cannabis to both patients and aspiring doctors wanting to enter the field of medicinal cannabis. He is involved in research trials to better understand the use of medicinal cannabis and making it more accessible to individuals with chronic pain.
Here are some interesting facts about Dr Sinovich:
- Granted Foundation Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FFPMRCA)
- Medical director of “Panacea Pain Relief Clinic” with consulting rooms at the Spire Clare Park Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital and Spire St Anthony Hospital
- Presented at numerous national anaesthesia and pain medicine conferences
- Member of the British Pain Society and of the European Society for Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine
- Faculty member of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA), the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) and the Association of Anaesthetists (AAGBI)
- Local Pain Medicine Educational Supervisor responsible for teaching of undergraduate medical students in acute and chronic pain
Medical cannabis, legally prescribed

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FAQ’s
Answers to your most important medical cannabis questions.
Can medical cannabis help manage symptoms in advanced kidney failure?
Yes. While medical cannabis does not treat kidneyfailure itself, it may help manage distressing symptoms such as chronic pain,nausea, insomnia, and anxiety. At Cantourage Clinic, we consider cannabis-basedtherapy as part of a holistic palliative care approach for patients withend-stage renal disease.
Is medical cannabis legally available for kidney failure patients in palliative care in the UK?
Yes. In the UK, medical cannabis can be legallyprescribed by a specialist doctor for patients in palliative care, includingthose with kidney failure, when standard treatments have not providedsufficient relief. Cantourage Clinic ensures safe, regulated access to thesetherapies under clinical supervision.
What cannabis-based medicines are typically used to support kidney failure patients?
Our clinicians may recommend CBD-dominant orbalanced THC:CBD formulations to ease symptoms like sleep disturbance, lowappetite, or anxiety-while carefully monitoring for any sensitivities. Productsmay be prescribed as oils, capsules, or vaporised solutions based on patientneeds.
How can I start medical cannabis treatment for kidney failure support at Cantourage Clinic?
Book a consultation with our specialist team. Wewill review your medical history, current symptoms, and previous treatments. Ifmedical cannabis is suitable, we’ll create a personalised treatment plan andprovide ongoing support alongside your primary care team.