22 April 2016

We have been made aware of a consultation on healthcare services in Worcestershire which includes a question about restricting access to gluten-free foods on prescription. This is a joint consultation involving three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG, South Worcestershire CCG and Wyre Forest CCG. We have contacted all Members living in the area directly to make sure that they have the chance to respond.

Have your say

We would encourage you to respond to the consultation to ensure your views are heard. The survey can be accessed online and is open until 30 May. If you are unable to complete the survey online, you can request a printed copy of the questionnaire by calling 01905 681984.

Coeliac UK will be formally responding to the consultation in support of continuing to provide gluten-free food on prescription. We will highlight the need for a level of support for people with coeliac disease due to the higher cost of gluten-free staple foods and the limited availability in rural areas and smaller convenience stores. We will focus on research which shows that gluten-free staple foods are not readily available to purchase in budget supermarkets and corner shops and that gluten-free staple foods are 3-4 times more expensive than gluten containing equivalents.

We will continue to provide updates as the situation progresses on our website, in Crossed Grain magazine and by contacting Members directly. To find out more information, please visit our prescriptions campaign page.