22 December 2015

We have been made aware of a consultation on gluten-free prescribing being held by East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) which is running until 10 January.

The CCG currently follows the National Prescribing Guidelines and prescribes up to 18 units per month (depending on age and gender) but is now reviewing this policy and is proposing a complete removal of gluten-free food on prescription. This proposal is something that the Charity is very concerned about, and we will be contacting the CCG to highlight the need for continuing access to gluten-free food on prescription for people diagnosed with coeliac disease.

Get involved, have your say

As part of its review, the CCG is asking for local people’s opinions on the prescribing of gluten-free food. 

• We would encourage you to respond to the consultation to ensure your views are heard.
• We’re aware that the survey contains limited questions about gluten-free food on prescription and covers many other areas of prescribing.  Therefore we would advise that you write to the CCG in answer to the question;“Do you agree with the proposal that gluten-free food should no longer be available on prescription?”
• We have information about gluten-free food on prescription, including sample letters on our website which you may like to use to help draft your response.  You may want to talk about why gluten-free food on prescription is important to you personally, for example, because of the high cost and variable availability of gluten-free food.

You can respond by emailing (eryccg.contactus@nhs.net) or writing to Engagement Manager, ERYCCG FREEPOST RTTL-HSBE-BLHL, Health House, Grange Park Lane, Willerby, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU10 6DT.  If you would also like to complete the survey, it can be accessed here.

We will keep everyone updated via Crossed Grain magazine, our electronic newsletter and on our website.