28 February 2017

North Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) along with Erewash, Hardwick and Southern Derbyshire CCGs are reviewing their policy on access to gluten free food on prescription and are asking local people for their views.

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 considering either limiting or completely stopping the prescribing of gluten free foods.

Coeliac UK communication with the CCGs

We will be submitting a formal response in support of continuing 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 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.

Have your say

The consultation is open until 15 August 2017 and we would encourage you to respond to make sure your voice is heard. The online survey can be found at:

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GlutenDerbys

If you wish to request a hard copy of the survey, please 01246 514176 or write to CCG Headquarters, Nightingale Close, Off Newbold Road, Chesterfield, S41 7PF

You can also send your views directly to your CCG by emailing enquiries@northderbyshireccg.nhs.uk

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.

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.

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