13 December 2016

We are very disappointed to tell you that the CCGs have announced the decision to stop prescribing gluten-free foods from 5 December 2016.  

While the CCGs have made this decision, we would like to stress that the final decision about what to prescribe lies with your GP. We would therefore encourage you to have a discussion with your GP about gluten-free food on prescription if you are concerned about the impact this may have on you.

We understand the importance of access to gluten-free products on prescription for people with coeliac disease, particularly those on low incomes or those only able to reach small convenience stores which do not stock staple gluten-free foods. We are concerned that the measures taken by the CCGs to save money will affect people’s ability to stick to the gluten-free diet and in turn increase the likelihood of complications of coeliac disease such as osteoporosis, which will cost the NHS more in the long term.

Although we understand the budgetary pressures being faced by the NHS, making efficiencies in NHS procurement and use of alternative supply models could enable cost savings to be made whilst still supporting people with coeliac disease. Coeliac UK has already highlighted alternative prescribing schemes, where there is direct supply of gluten-free food from the pharmacy, making savings around product control and saving GP time without completely restricting access to gluten-free food on prescription.

If you would like to oppose the prescription cuts, there are several things that you can do:

• Contact the local Healthwatch by emailing info@healthwatchlancashire.co.uk, calling 01524 239100 or writing to Healthwatch Lancashire, Leyland House, Lancashire Business Park, Leyland, PR26 6TY
• Contact your CCG, if you don’t know which CCG area you live in you can check on our website or you can ask us by calling on 0333 332 2033
• Contact Greater Preston CCG by emailing enquiries@greaterprestonccg.nhs.uk, writing to Greater Preston Clinical Commissioning Group, Chorley House, Lancashire Business Park, Centurion Way, Leyland, Lancashire, PR26 6TT  or calling 01772 214232
• Contact Chorley and Ribble CCG by emailing enquiries@chorleysouthribbleccg.nhs.uk, writing to Chorley and South Ribble Clinical Commissioning Group, Chorley House, Lancashire Business Park, Centurion Way, Leyland, Lancashire, PR26 6TT or calling 01772 214232
• Write to your local MP, we have a sample letter on our website which you can use, or please feel free to write your own letter explaining how the changes will affect you
• Speak with your local GP about your individual case
• Watch out for more information on next campaign steps particularly on our website

As part of our work in opposing prescription cuts, we are looking for people affected by these prescription cuts to act as case studies. This will enable us to give examples to the media of how this policy change would affect people with coeliac disease. To become a case study or to find out more about interview opportunities please reply to this email or call us on 0333 332 2033.

We will continue to make strong representations to the CCG on the issue and will seek the support of clinicians in the area. We will be asking the CCG how the impact of the change on the long term health of people with coeliac disease will be monitored.

We will keep you informed about our campaigns and research and let you know about developments in gluten-free prescribing in Crossed Grain magazine, our electronic newsletters and on our website.