19 October 2016

It’s come to our attention that NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is proposing to remove access to all gluten-free foods on prescription from 1 December 2016. We have contacted Members in the area and are spreading the word online to ensure that you get the chance to have your say.

What have we been doing to help?

We are extremely concerned by the proposal and will be submitting a formal response in support of continuing access to gluten-free food on prescription. Our arguments will centre on the importance of gluten-free staples on prescription to support management and adherence to the gluten-free diet, particularly in light of the difficulties posed by 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 a shocking 3-4 times more expensive than their gluten-containing counterparts. We will also be asking local healthcare professionals for their support.

Have your say

The closing date for comments is 7 November and we’re encouraging you to respond and make sure your voice is heard.

Comments can be submitted to susan.lilley@somersetccg.nhs.uk or by post to Susan Lilley, NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, Freepost RRKL-XKSC-ACSG, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8HR.

You can also 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.

Get involved

As part of our work in opposing prescription cuts, we are looking for people affected by them to act as case studies. This empowers people to get their story out there and show how the policy changes affect real people with coeliac disease. To become a case study or to find out more, please call us on 0333 332 2033. For more information about our prescriptions campaign visit www.coeliac.org.uk/prescriptioncampaign.