18 July 2017

We would like to make you aware that a number of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in the North East have made the decision to limit gluten free prescriptions to 6-8 units a month (depending on age and gender) of gluten free bread and flour mixes.

The CCGs that have made this decision are:

• Newcastle Gateshead CCG 
• Sunderland CCG
• South Tyneside CCG
• Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG
• North Durham CCG
• Hartlepool and Stockton CCG
• Darlington CCG 
• South Tees CCG 

If you are not sure which CCG area you live in, you can check using the map on our website.

While we are disappointed that the CCGs have introduced these restrictions which moves away from the national prescribing guidelines, we are reassured that the CCGs have recognised the need to continue to provide a level of support for people with coeliac disease. The CCGs have stated they will take the result of the Department of Health’s national consultation on gluten free prescribing into account to further inform their future decision making. For more information on the national consultation, please visit our dedicated webpage.

While the CCGs have made this decision, we would like to stress that the final decision about what to prescribe lies with your GP. We would therefore encourage you to have a discussion with your GP about gluten free food on prescription if you are concerned about the impact this change may have on you.

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

• Contact your local Healthwatch
• Contact your CCG
• Write to your local MP, we have a sample letter which you can use, or please feel free to write 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.

The national picture

You may be aware that this is a situation that is also affecting people in other parts of England. Around 77% of CCGs have policies which recommend that GPs prescribe gluten free food. The remaining 23% CCGs have stopped the routine prescribing of gluten free food. We are also closely monitoring a number of CCGs that are currently reviewing their gluten free prescribing policy.

We will provide updates as the situation progresses through our email newsletter, Crossed Grain magazine and on our website.