9 March 2017

Following the survey conducted last year by South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Wyre Forest CCG and Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG, the CCGs are now asking for feedback on proposed restrictions to the prescribing of gluten free foods. 

The CCGs currently follow the National Prescribing Guidelines and prescribe up to 18 units (depending on age and gender) of gluten free staple foods. However, the CCGs are now reviewing their policy and asking for feedback on two proposals:

• stop prescribing of all gluten free foods
• limit prescribing to bread loaves and flour.

Have your say

The consultation is open until 12 April 2017 and we would encourage you to respond to make sure your voice is heard. The online survey can be found at:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/prescribinginworcestershire

If you wish to request a hard copy of the survey, please contact the CCG by calling 01905 681999 or write to Freepost Plus RTCU-KZKZ-EJZZ, NHS South Worcestershire CCG, The Coach House, John Comyn Drive, WORCESTER, WR3 7NS

You can also send your views directly to your CCG by emailing: helen.perry-smith@worcestershire.nhs.uk

We would also encourage you to write to your local MP, we have a sample letter which you can use, or please feel free to write your own letter explaining how the proposed changes would affect you.

Share your story

As part of our work in opposing proposed prescription cuts, we are looking for people who would be affected by the proposed 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 call us on 0333 332 2033.

Coeliac UK communication with the CCGs

We will again be submitting a formal response in support of continuing access to gluten free food on prescription. Our arguments will continue to focus on the importance of gluten free staples on prescription to support management and adherence to the gluten free diet in view of cost and availability issues. 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.

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