Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has said she is pleased the Health Minister has finally intervened to ensure Billy Caldwell’s medicine will now by funded on the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care system.

The South Belfast MLA stated: “I welcome the Minister’s intervention in the Caldwell case to ensure that Billy will now have the medicine he needs.

“The work of Charlotte Caldwell and her team has been an inspiration to us all.

“Nevertheless, of course it should never have had to come so far. This medicine should have been available long ago, and certainly from the agreement of RESCAS on a UK-wide basis.

“Although this is of immediate benefit to Billy Caldwell, it is a major breakthrough for other families in future. Cannabis-based medical products are not only safe, but vital to many. This is a good day not just for the Caldwells, but for the Health Service in general and all those who rely on it.”