Government 'u-turn' praised amid scrutiny
A government u-turn to provide a life-enhancing drug for a seriously ill boy has been praised.
Eight-year-old Finley Hesketh has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a muscle-wasting disease which has no known cure.
His family campaigned successfully for the health department to fund the £180,000-a-year treatment Translarna after initially being refused the drug.
The move to provide the drug came under scrutiny this week, at a committee investigating the Department of Health and Social Care's £11 million overspend.
Minister Kate Beecroft explained she made the decision to reverse the department's stance and provide Translana, without the advice of a board of clinicians.
Mrs Beecroft told the committee that denying Finley treatment would've made the Island appear 'miserly'.
Mum Kirstie describes her son as a 'treasure beyond price':
No increase in domestic gas prices for rest of 2026
Law targeting sale of nicotine pouches takes step further
Procurement process for Kirk Onchan Post Office continuing
Bus station will not be moved to the Sea Terminal
Comments
Add a comment