Manchester Withington MP has criticised the Government for failing to deliver on the promise to allow epileptic children access to cannabis-based medicines, following the publication of restrictive NHS guidance on medicinal cannabis treatments.

After high profile campaigns from a number of families including thoseof 6-year-old Alfie Dingley and 13-year-old Billy Caldwell over the summer, the Home Secretary initiated a major review of Government policy and legalised access to medicinal cannabis on November 1.

However, guidance given to clinicians has been accused of being overly restrictive, leaving many people without access to the treatments they need.   Under the guidance published last week, even Alfie and Billy would not qualify medicinal cannabis treatments.

Jeff said: 

“Earlier this year the Government promised to allow seriously ill children like Alfie Dingley access to medicinal cannabis.

This promise can only be delivered if clinicians are informed and empowered to prescribe medicinal cannabis treatments, so this restrictive guidance is highly concerning. 

I hope the Government intervenes to ensure the guidance is relaxed, so children like Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell can access this life-changing treatment in the future.”