10 April 2018

We are very disappointed to tell you that the CCG has made the decision to remove access to gluten free food on prescription from 1 May.

If you are concerned that this policy change will impact on your ability to manage your gluten free diet and your coeliac disease, you should see your GP for advice as the final decision about what to prescribe lies with your GP.

Have your say

To respond to your local CCG’s decision to withdraw prescriptions:

• Write to your local MP to ask for their support we have a sample letter and briefing for MPs on our website which you can use, or please feel free to write your own letter explaining how the changes will affect you
• Contact Healthwatch Lancashire by emailing (info@healthwatchlancashire.co.uk), calling 01524 239100 or writing to Healthwatch Lancashire, Leyland House, Lancashire Business Park, Centurion Way, Leyland, PR26 6TY
• Contact Morecambe Bay CCG by emailing (info@morecambebayccg.nhs.uk), writing to Morecambe Bay CCG, Jubilee House, Lancashire Business Park, Leyland, PR26 6TR or calling on 01772 777952
• Speak with your local GP about your individual case
• Watch out for more information on next campaign steps particularly on our website

We understand the importance of having access to gluten free food on prescription, particularly for people on low incomes and those only able to shop in small convenience stores that do not stock staple gluten free foods. We are concerned that the measures taken by the CCG to save money will affect the ability of patients with coeliac disease to stick to the gluten free diet and that this will result in an increase in the likelihood of complications of coeliac disease. As well as the individual suffering this may cause, it will also cost the NHS more in the long term.

Become a case study

As part of our work, we are looking for people affected by prescribing cuts to act as case studies. This will enable us to give examples to the media of how this policy change has affected 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 continue to make strong representations to the CCG on the issue and will also seek the support of healthcare professionals in the area. We will be asking the CCG how the impact of the change on the long term health of people with coeliac disease will be monitored.

We will keep you informed about our campaigning and research and let you know about developments in gluten free prescribing in Crossed Grain magazine, our electronic newsletters and on our website.