3 September 2018

NHS Herefordshire clinical commissioning group (CCG) have announced that they are proposing to stop the prescribing of gluten free foods. 

We will be submitting a formal response to support the continuing of access to gluten free food on prescription. Our arguments will focus on the importance of gluten free staples on prescription to support management and adherence to the gluten free diet in view of higher cost and limited availability. Research shows that gluten free staple foods are not readily available to purchase in budget supermarkets and convenience stores and that gluten free staple foods are 3-4 times more expensive than gluten containing equivalents. We will also be asking local healthcare professionals for their support.

Have your say

The consultation closes on Sunday 9 September and you can complete the online survey at: https://www.elesurvey.co.uk/f/615162/133f/?

If you would like to request a hard copy of the survey, or if you would prefer to share your view over the phone, please call the CCG on 01432 260618. You can also send comments by email to enquiries@herefordshireccg.nhs.uk or by writing to Herefordshire CCG, St Owen's Chambers, 22 St Own Street, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 2PL.

We would also encourage you to 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 proposed changes would affect you.
As part of our work in opposing prescription cuts, we are looking for people affected by these changes 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 call us on 0333 332 2033.