Billy Caldwell granted emergency medicinal cannabis licence

The Department of Health has received an emergency licence from Belfast Trust clinicians allowing Billy Caldwell to use medicinal cannabis here.

The Department is also in discussions with the Home Office to finalise arrangements for Billy’s medicine to be transported from London to the trust.

The 12-year-old boy from Castlederg in county Tyrone will fly home with his mother, Charlotte, on Thursday evening.

A family spokesman said they were previously uncertain over when Billy would be able to get his next dose. They have been in London where Billy has been receiving treatment.

The Home Office had given Billy, who has a rare form of epilepsy, a short-term licence to allow him access to cannabis oil, which Charlotte says helps to control his seizures.