We Were Misled: Families Demand Answers from the DHSC

We are the families and advocates of children and adults with intractable chronic medical conditions who were promised compassion, transparency, and access to life-changing treatment. Instead, we were met with silence, obfuscation, and systemic failure. This letter is a call for accountability from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the “Expert Panel,” whose role was undermined by DHSC’s instructions to NHS Trusts—preventing applications from ever reaching them. We demand a public inquiry into the structural impunity that has harmed vulnerable patients and silenced their voices.

📄 Read the full letter: Campaign letter – September 2025 Structural Impunity: drive.google.com/file/d/11zEGToXepnsMVXKj8Mxzs-VIY...

Key Evidence of Structural Impunity

Silencing of NHS Trusts DHSC instructed Trusts not to comment publicly, suppressing clinicians and obstructing applications to the Expert Panel.

Ministerial Awareness Without Action Ministers acknowledged the importance of access, yet Trusts refused to act—citing non-existent internal policies.

FOI Refusals Despite Volume DHSC admitted to holding over 6,500 emails related to cannabis policy but refused disclosure under Section 12 of FOIA.

Omissions in DHSC’s Own Review The 2019 DHSC/NHS England report failed to mention its own role in blocking access and suppressing transparency.

The Human Cost

Families were forced into costly private care, invasive surgeries, or left without treatment altogether. Some lost children due to delayed access. Adults with chronic conditions continue to suffer. All were misled by a system that promised compassion but delivered silence.

What We Demand

A public inquiry into DHSC’s internal communications with NHS Trusts regarding cannabis-based medicinal access in 2018.

Immediate release of withheld FOI materials, including the 6,500 emails referenced in FOI-1623511.

A formal apology from DHSC to families misled and harmed by the Expert Panel process.

Reimbursement for families forced into private care due to blocked NHS access.

Recognition and redress for families who lost loved ones as a result of delayed treatment.

We invite other affected families to co-sign this letter and share their experiences. We also call on the public to stand with us—add your name in support. This is not just about medicinal cannabis. It is about truth, trust, and the right to treatment.

Signed, Joanne Griffiths Campaign Lead – End Our Pain 📧 [email protected]