20 December 2016

We are very disappointed to tell you that the CCG has announced the decision to stop providing gluten-free foods to adults. For those aged under 18, the range of foods available on prescription will be restricted to bread, pasta and flour.

Whilst the CCG has 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 CCG 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.

Have your say

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

• Contact your local Healthwatch by contacting Healthwatch Staffordshire or Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent:
• Healthwatch Staffordshire by emailing (enquiries@healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk), calling on 0800 051 8371, or writing to Healthwatch Staffordshire, Suite 2, Opus House, Priestley Court, Staffordshire Technology Park, Stafford, ST18 0LQ
• Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent by emailing (info@healthwatchstoke.co.uk) calling on 01782 683080 or writing to Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent, The Dudson Centre, Hope Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5DD 
• Contact North Staffordshire CCG or Stoke-on-Trent CCG:
• North Staffordshire CCG by emailing (nsccg@northstaffs.nhs.uk), writing to NHS Staffordshire CCG, Morston House, The Midway, Newcastle under Lyme, ST5 1QG or calling on 01782 298002
• Stoke-on-Trent CCG by emailing (feedback@staffordshirecss.nhs.uk) calling on 01782 298002 or writing to Stoke-on-Trent CCG, Smithfield 1 Building, Leonard Coates Way, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 4FA
• 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

Share your story

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 has affected people with coeliac disease. To become a case study please email Katie.stokes@coeliac.org.uk or call us on 01494 796129.

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 provide updates as the situation progresses through direct mailings, Crossed Grain magazine and on our website.