NHS to fund Billy’s medicinal cannabis

With the 15-year-old Castlederg boy’s prescription for medicinal cannabis, which is sourced from a Canadian firm, due to run out on Monday, Health Minister Robin Swann announced the Health and Social Care Board Belfast would pay for the next invoice.

The Minister also confirmed the health board has been paying for Billy’s medication as an interim arrangement.

Mr Swann acknowledged that the UK government’s Refractory Epilepsy Service Specialist Clinical Advice Service (RESCAS) investigating the use of medical cannabis in extreme cases, recommended Billy’s medication would not be discontinued

He said: “I hope that this continuation of the interim arrangement will help provide the space to achieve a longer term and sustainable solution, in line with RESCAS advice.

“I am assured however that all of the advice received from RESCAS is currently being carefully considered in order to reach a solution for Billy to support his long term safety and wellbeing. I very much hope that the RESCAS process will lead to a sustainable solution, providing Billy with the care and support he needs.”

Charlotte Caldwell, who earlier this week revealed she had been reported to Social Services over Billy’s care, welcomed the prescription decision.

She said: “This is the news we have waited for for so long. Billy and I should never have had to endure this torturous ordeal but I am delighted we have this news and this hope. I am grateful to Matt Hancock for enabling Billy to have access to RESCAS and to those who now have committed to implementing its key recommendation, that Billy’s NHS prescription is back where it should be.”

The Caldwells were instrumental in the legalisation of medicinal cannabis in certain circumstances.