Dr Joe McAndrew-Lima agrees to stop practising amid complaints
Dr Joe McAndrew-Lima, of the private online ADHD assessment service Cloud Clinic, has agreed to stop practising medicine while a formal complaints process is underway with the Irish Medical Council, according to a report by The Journal. The regulatory body attached a formal condition to his registration stating that he has agreed not to engage in the practice of medicine.
Medical Council Undertaking Follows Investigation into Delays
The restriction comes after an investigation published by The Journal Investigates in April 2026 revealed significant patient complaints regarding administrative delays. These delays left patients paying hundreds of euros out of pocket to switch healthcare providers. By agreeing to an undertaking with the Medical Council, a practitioner can resolve a fitness-to-practise concern without facing formal suspension or cancellation of their registration. This step does not mean the practitioner has been found guilty of professional misconduct, and it may conclude the regulatory process if the undertaking is fully met.
Cloud Clinic, which operated from an office in Dublin while offering exclusively virtual psychiatric services, no longer maintains an active website. A spokesperson for the Medical Council of Ireland stated that the regulator cannot comment on the specifics of individual complaints. However, the council confirmed that Dr McAndrew-Lima must cease providing medical advice, treating patients, and handling all prescribing functions pending the conclusion of the complaint process or until the Medical Council releases him from the agreement.
Patient Impact and Treatment Backlogs
Opened in 2024, Cloud Clinic treated more than 500 people, charging €950 for a full ADHD assessment pathway that typically involved between one and a half and three hours of virtual contact time. Patients who spoke to The Journal described the specialist as helpful during assessments, but characterized the clinic’s administration as chaotic. Clients reported being forced to ration medication due to prescription delays and encountered unexpected financial losses.
Past patients noted that the clinic charged €100 for consultation sessions intended to address medication delays or access issues regarding diagnosis documentation. Multiple clients had to pay between €400 and €500 to secure care from a new provider because Cloud Clinic paperwork was not fully accepted elsewhere. One former patient reported spending €500 to transfer to a new psychiatrist after experiencing months of silence from the practice, noting that the financial strain compounded an already stressful period.
Medical Council Mandates Prompt Release of Patient Records
The Medical Council’s restriction includes a mandate that Cloud Clinic must facilitate the prompt release of patient records to any nominated medical practitioner or directly to the patient upon request. The regulatory body also advised past patients to contact their general practitioner or transfer to an alternative service for ongoing ADHD treatment.
The exact duration of the ongoing complaints process remains unknown. The Journal reached out to both Dr McAndrew-Lima and the Medical Council for comment regarding the timeline and the outstanding grievances raised by former patients.
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