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HOPE FOR ALFIE

Alfie Dingley, 6, could become second epilepsy sufferer to receive cannabis oil treatment after Billy Caldwell’s Home Office u-turn

A SIX-YEAR-OLD British boy could become the second epilepsy sufferer to be allowed medicinal cannabis oil following the recent Home Office u-turn in the case of Billy Caldwell.

Alfie Dingley suffers from a rare genetic mutation which causes him to have up to 30 seizures a day.

 Hannah Deacon has been begging the government for medicinal cannabis for her son Alfie
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Hannah Deacon has been begging the government for medicinal cannabis for her son AlfieCredit: PA:Press Association

The young boy’s mum has also been pleading with the Home Office to allow her son access to medicinal cannabis oil, but her cries for help have so far been refused.

However, the six-year-old could potentially become the second UK epileptic to be allowed access to cannabis treatments after fellow sufferer Billy Caldwell, 12, was granted an “urgent” licence by Home Secretary Sajid Javid.

Billy’s mum Charlotte was seen in tears today as the youngster was reunited with his life-saving medication following a week-long struggle with Home Office officials.

He was granted access to a 20-day supply after Mr Javid used “an exceptional power” to return some of the confiscated medication to the family in a monumental “U-turn” on the matter.

 Little Alfie Dingley has up to 30 seizures a day without the cannabis oil
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Little Alfie Dingley has up to 30 seizures a day without the cannabis oilCredit: PA:Press Association
 Alfie, his sister Annie, parents Drew and Hannah were joined by actor Sir Patrick Stewart as they handed in a petition to Downing Street in March
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Alfie, his sister Annie, parents Drew and Hannah were joined by actor Sir Patrick Stewart as they handed in a petition to Downing Street in March

Following the extraordinary decision, little Alfie’s mum now hopes the Government will do the same for her child.

Alfie’s parents Hannah Deacon and Drew Dingley believe cannabis oil has had a significant impact on his treatment, saying the results are “nothing short of a miracle”.

The family claim that after taking cannabis oil, Alfie’s seizures went down to around one a month.

The family moved to the Netherlands in September 2017 because of the treatment, but were forced to return to Britain after running short of money.

 Charlotte Caldwell had seven bottles of medicinal cannabis oil confiscated at Heathrow Airport on June 11
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Charlotte Caldwell had seven bottles of medicinal cannabis oil confiscated at Heathrow Airport on June 11Credit: PA:Press Association

Some cannabis oils are sold in the UK but it is believed that the type of oil the family wants access to contain an illegal psycho-active element called THC.

The Home Office insisted it can be used here only for research purposes and under medical licence, and “cannot be practically prescribed, administered or supplied to the public”.

Ms Caldwell, of Castlederg in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, had seven bottles confiscated at Heathrow Airport customs on June 11 after she brought them in from Toronto.

The emergency measure allowed for one bottle to be returned.

 Cannabis oilis said to be beneficial for treating a number of ailments, promoting sleep, boosting appetite and reducing stress, anxiety and depression
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Cannabis oilis said to be beneficial for treating a number of ailments, promoting sleep, boosting appetite and reducing stress, anxiety and depressionCredit: Corbis - Getty

Billy’s mum reported an improvement in her son's condition shortly after taking the drug, but when her current supply runs out, a new application will have to be made for a licence.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, a Whitehall source said: “Cases such as this obviously raise questions about the UK licensing regime, particularly when other advanced economies like Canada are able to license certain products.

“There is a concern that we're behind the curve on this, which is why it would make sense to consider a review.”


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