Mum’s joy as bosses agree to prescribe cannabis oil on NHS

CAMPAIGNING mother Charlotte Caldwell has admitted she’s finally “crying happy tears” after the Department of Health announced that medicinal cannabis oil will be made available on prescription here.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said that the move would come into effect from next month in England, Scotland and Wales.

And a spokesperson for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland confirmed it would be following suit.

He said: “The department has worked alongside the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to develop additional frameworks and clinical guidelines to ensure that cannabis-based medicinal products can be prescribed safely and effectively to patients while at the same time ensuring they are not misused.

“The change will, however, remove the requirement for licensing should a doctor on the Gen-

Excited: Charlotte Caldwell

eral Medical Council’s specialist register decide to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products, where their use is deemed clinically appropriate and in the best interests of patients.”

And Ms Caldwell, who has campaigned tirelessly for five years for her son Billy told of her joy that it was now “only a matter of time” before Northern Ireland made the life changing treatment available.

“This has been a treasure just out of reach... But to see it in writing from the Government is incredible,” she said.

From November 1, UK laws will change to allow cannabis-based products for medicinal use to be prescribed and Mr Javid added that Home Office officials are now working closely with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.

Ms Caldwell added: “What started out as a journey for me as Billy’s mummy to help my little boy has become something much bigger.

“The needs of my little boy turned out to be the needs of many more.

“The people of Northern Ireland can be assured that a cross party delegation is working with the Belfast Trust and Northern Ireland Department of Health to get the same arrangement.

“We believe it’s just a matter of time.

“We had expected legislation to lag behind because of the lack of government in Northern Ireland, but it would seem that the opportunity to change and save lives has proven to be as compelling here as it was in Westminster.

“That is particularly exciting for me.”