26 January 2018

We are very disappointed to tell you that the four Derbyshire CCGs have made the decision to remove access to gluten free food on prescription. This guidance will come into effect immediately.

If you are concerned that this policy change is having an impact on your ability to manage your gluten free diet and your coeliac disease, you should see your GP for advice as the final decision about what to prescribe lies with your GP.

We understand the importance of having access to gluten free food on prescription, particularly for people on low incomes and those only able to shop in small convenience stores that do not stock staple gluten free foods. We are concerned that the measures taken by the CCGs to save money will affect the ability of patients with coeliac disease to stick to the gluten free diet and that this will result in an increase in the likelihood of complications of coeliac disease. As well as the individual suffering this may cause, it will also cost the NHS more in the long term.

Have your say

To respond to your local CCG’s decision to withdraw prescriptions:

• Contact Healthwatch Derbyshire by emailing (enquiries@healthwatchderbyshire.co.uk), calling 01773 880786 or writing to Healthwatch Derbyshire, Suite 14, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN.
• Contact your CCG using the details below, if you don’t know which CCG area you live in you can check on our website at www.coeliac.org.uk/prescribingmap or you can ask us by calling on 0333 332 2033:
• Contact Erewash CCG by emailing (eccg.erewashenquiries@nhs.net), writing to Erewash CCG, Toll Bar House, 1 Derby Road, Ilkeston, Derby, DE7 5FH, or calling on 01159 316100
• Contact Hardwick CCG by emailing (enquiries.hardwickccg@nhs.net), writing to NHS Hardwick CCG, Scarsdale Hospital, Nightingale Close, Off Newbold Road, Chesterfield, S41 7PF, or calling on 01246 514000
• Contact North Derbyshire CCG by writing to NHS North Derbyshire CCG, CCG Headquarters, Nightingale Close, Off Newbold Road, Chesterfield, S41 7PF, or calling on 01246 514000
• Contact Southern Derbyshire CCG by emailing (SDERCCG.Enquiries@nhs.net), writing to NHS Southern Derbyshire CCG, Cardinal Square, 1st Floor, North Point, 10 Nottingham Road, Derby DE1 3QT, or calling on 01332 888 080
• 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.

Become a case study

As part of our work, we are looking for people affected by prescribing 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 or to find out more about interview opportunities please call us on 0333 332 2033.

We will continue to make strong representations to the CCGs on the issue and will also seek the support of clinicians in the area. We will be asking the CCGs 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 campaigning and research and let you know about developments in gluten free prescribing in Crossed Grain magazine, our electronic newsletters and on our website.