9 November 2016

It has come to our attention that Newbury and District, North and West Reading, South Reading, and Wokingham Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have made decisions to reduce the amount and range of gluten-free food on prescription in West Berkshire.

What have Coeliac UK been doing to help?

In early 2016 we met with the CCGs along with a representative from the Berkshire Voluntary Support Group to discuss their gluten-free prescribing policy. At this meeting we emphasised the importance of access to gluten-free food on prescription – alternative NHS supply schemes including pharmacy led gluten-free supply and voucher schemes were also discussed.

In September, the CCGs put forward a proposal to remove access to all gluten-free food on prescription. We responded with a letter highlighting the importance of gluten-free staples on prescription, and the Berkshire Voluntary Support Group was invited to give a presentation on gluten-free prescribing.

Since then, we have received confirmation that the CCGs have decided to limit the number the number of units available on prescription to 8 per month, with foods available limited to bread, flour mix and pasta.

If you are worried about the impact this could have on you, remember that the final decision about what to prescribe lies with your GP. We’d advise you to have a discussion with them about gluten-free food on prescription if you are concerned.

There are several things you can do to oppose the cuts:

• Contact the local HealthWatch by emailing, calling on 01606 351134 or writing to Healthwatch West Berkshire, Broadway House, 4-8 The Broadway, Northbrook Street, Newbury, RG14 1BA
• Contact your CCG, 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
  • South Reading CCG email: southreadingccg@nhs.net phone: 0118 982 2738
  • Newbury and District CCG email: ndccg.enquiries@nhs.net phone: 0300 123 1720
  • North and West Reading CCG email: RCCG.NandWReadingCCG@nhs.net phone: 0118 950 3094
  • Wokingham CCG email: feedback.wokinghamccg@nhs.net phone: 0118 929 9469
  • Write to your local MP, either using the sample letter on our website or your own letter explaining how the changes will affect you
  • Speak with your local GP about your individual case

Although we’re disappointed that the CCGs’ new policy moves away from National Prescribing Guidelines, we are pleased to see that they have not completely removed access to gluten-free prescriptions, which was the initial proposal. We’d also like to thank the Local Voluntary Support Group for their support.

Watch out for more information about the prescriptions campaign’s next steps on our website.