Billy Caldwell will receive cannabis oil in Northern Ireland

By Q Radio News

It's been confirmed Billy Caldwell will be able to receive his medicinal cannabis in Northern Ireland.

The severely epileptic youngster from Castlederg is due to fly back to Belfast this afternoon.

There'd been uncertainty over whether the 12-year-old would be able to have the same treatment here as the Home Office had signed off in England.

Now, Northern Ireland's Department of Health has told Q Radio it's issued an emergency license for medicinal cannabis... which replicates the one Billy had over the water.

Yesterday, his Mum, Charlotte told us a clinician in London had said returning home would be the best thing for her son.

The Department of Health said:

"Yesterday received an emergency licence application from Belfast Trust clinicians regarding medicinal cannabis use for Billy Caldwell. An emergency licence has today been issued by the Department, replicating the licence issued last month by the Home Office for treatment at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.

We have also been in discussions with the Home Office to finalise arrangements for the immediate transportation of Billy’s medicine from London to the Belfast Trust."

A spokesperson for the Belfast Trust told Q Radio: "Belfast Trust has been granted an emergency licence to prescribe and administer Billy’s medication.

"Billy’s medication will arrive today and arrangements are in place to administer it this evening and thereafter.

"The Trust has been in contact with Charlotte Caldwell and has discussed these arrangements with her."

Billy with mum, Charlotte.