Billy Caldwell Discharged From Hospital

A boy with severe epilepsy who was hospitalised after his medical cannabis oil was taken from his mother at Heathrow Airport has been discharged from hospital.

Billy Caldwell, aged 12 and from Co Tyrone, was treated with the drug in hospital after the Home Office granted a 20-day licence for the use of the cannabis oil.

His mother Charlotte Caldwell said he does not have as many seizures when he takes the oil and has called for an urgent review of the law on the substance, which is currently banned in the UK.

A new expert panel of clinicians is to be established to give advice on the prescription of cannabis-based medicines to individual patients, the Government has confirmed.

Home Office minister Nick Hurd told the House of Commons that cases of children like Billy had "highlighted the need for the Government to explore the issue further and our handling of these issues further".

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said: "It is imperative that our own Department of Health take on the baton to ensure that children who suffer from extreme epilepsy in Northern Ireland are treated at home and not across the water.

"That is why the SDLP have called on all parties to work together to establish a regulatory framework for the use of medicinal cannabis to treat chronic conditions and this should happen sooner rather than later."

SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA said: "It is unfortunate that it has taken Billy Caldwell being extremely ill for movement on this issue but today signifies an important step in the right direction.

"This is an issue that I and the SDLP have been working on and before the collapse of the Assembly, I met with the previous Health Minister to discuss the importance of the legislation of medicinal cannabis. I would encourage all parties to explore the issue and consider the needs of those who are suffering."

(CD/MH)