22 April 2016

Last November, Mansfield and Ashfield CCG and Newark and Sherwood CCG held a joint consultation about gluten-free food on prescription and they have now reached a decision.

During the consultation, local people were asked to give their opinions about several options:

• stop prescribing gluten-free food
• limit to eight units of bread or flour
• continue to follow the National Prescribing Guidelines.

The decision

The CCGs have confirmed that they will be restricting prescribing to a maximum of 16 units every 56 days (or eight units every 28 days) for adults. Children up to the age of 18, pregnant and breastfeeding women will continue to be able to access prescriptions in line with the National Prescribing Guidelines.

We are disappointed to see that the CCG has introduced this policy despite the findings from the consultation where 53% of respondents were in favour of continuing to prescribe according to National Prescribing Guidelines. However, we are reassured that a level of support will still be available to people in the area as one option considered was a complete removal of access to gluten-free food on prescription.

Help us oppose the decision

If you would like to oppose the changes, you can get involved by:

• contact the local HealthWatch by emailing, calling on 0115 963 5179 or writing to HealthWatch Nottinghamshire, Byron Business Centre, Duke Street, Hucknall, Nottingham, NG15 7HP
• contact the CCGs Patient Experience Team by emailing, or calling on 0800 028 3693
• 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 changes will affect you 
• write to the Nottinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Board, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7QP or email. We have a sample letter on our website
• speak with your local GP about your individual case
• watch out for more information on next campaign steps on our website.

We will be responding to the CCG and will provide updates as the situation progresses through Crossed Grain magazine, our electronic newsletters and on our website. For more information please visit our prescriptions campaign page.