FROME and East Somerset MP Anna Sabine questioned the Prime Minister on access to paediatric medical cannabis during Prime Minister’s Questions today.

Referring to her constituent Clover, a young Frome resident with life-threatening epilepsy whose family currently bears the cost of her medication, Anna is seeking NHS-led approaches to paediatric medical cannabis to create a clear pathway and benefit the 35,000 children across the UK who could gain access to this treatment.

Although paediatric medical cannabis is legal and can be prescribed in the UK, there is currently no formal NHS pathway or extensive clinical trials, limiting access for some children.

Ms Sabine asked the Prime Minister to meet with her to discuss the possibility of establishing trials and a clearer NHS pathway to ensure wider access. At present, while prescriptions are available, the process can be costly and complex, and access may be delayed.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to Ms Sabine during PMQs, committing to a meeting with the Minister for Anna, and also spoke of NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s recently agreed funding for two new clinical trials relating to the use of cannabis-based products which “could help see medicines more routinely available in the NHS.”

Ms Sabine asked the Prime Minister:“Thank you Mr Speaker. 35,000 children, including my constituent Clover, live with uncontrolled, life-threatening epilepsy. Those who can afford it are already benefiting from prescribed medical cannabis, yet families face endless delays, confused trials, and a Home Office process designed for criminal misuse, not healthcare.

“Will the PM meet with me and affected families to move paediatric medical cannabis out of Home Office control, create a pathway for proper trials and NHS access, and ensure that all children with life-threatening epilepsy get the care they deserve, regardless of their family circumstances?”