24 October 2016

We’re extremely disappointed to report that Gloucestershire CCG has announced the decision to stop prescribing gluten-free foods from 30 November. We are really concerned that this decision has been made without any public consultation with people with coeliac disease.

While the CCG has made this decision, we would like to stress that the final choice about what to prescribe lies with your GP. With that in mind, we would encourage you to discuss gluten-free food on prescription with your GP if you’re concerned about the impact cuts could have on you.

We’re going to be asking the CCG to develop criteria for prescribing gluten-free foods for vulnerable people, and will be highlighting the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) quality standard on coeliac disease which was published on 19 October. We’ll also be seeking the support of clinicians in the area and asking the CCG how they will monitor the impact of the change on the health of people with coeliac disease.

The importance of access to gluten-free food on prescription for people with coeliac disease is clear, particularly for those on low incomes or those only able to reach small convenience stores which do not stock gluten-free staple foods. We’re concerned that the measures taken by the CCG to save money will affect people’s ability to stick to the gluten-free diet and in turn increase the chances of long term complications of coeliac disease such as osteoporosis, which will end up costing the NHS more.

Get involved

If you would like to oppose the prescription cuts, there are several things that you can do:

• Contact the local HealthWatch by emailing, calling on 01452 504989 or writing to Healthwatch Gloucestershire, Community House, 15 College Green, Gloucester, GL1 2LZ
• Contact Gloucestershire CCG by emailing, writing to NHS Gloucestershire CCG, Sanger House, 5220 Valiant Court, Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth, Gloucester, GL3 4FE calling on 0300 421 1500
• Write to your local MP, 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
• Watch out for more information on next campaign steps, particularly on our website

As part of our work in opposing prescription cuts, we are looking for people affected to act as case studies. This will help us spread the word in the media and show how this policy change will affect people with coeliac disease. To become a case study or to find out more, please call us on 0333 332 2033.

We’ll keep Members updated on the situation online, in Crossed Grain magazine, and via our email newsletter. Find out more about our prescriptions campaign by visiting www.coeliac.org.uk/prescriptioncampaign.