20 October 2016

It has come to our attention that NHS North Kirklees and NHS Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are reviewing their policies on access to all gluten-free foods on prescription. We have contacted Members in the area and are getting the message out online to ensure you have the chance to respond.

Both of the CCGs currently follow National Prescribing Guidelines and prescribe up to 18 units (depending on age and gender) of gluten-free staple foods. However, they are now reviewing their policy on gluten-free prescribing and are proposing to remove access to all gluten-free foods on prescription.

What have we been doing to help?

We are extremely concerned by the proposal and will be submitting a formal response in support of maintaining access to gluten-free food on prescription. In our arguments we will focus on the importance of gluten-free staples on prescription to support management and adherence to the gluten-free diet in the face of cost and availability issues. Research shows that gluten-free staple foods are not easily available to buy in budget supermarkets and convenience stores, and that gluten-free staple foods are shockingly 3-4 times more expensive than gluten-containing equivalents.  We will also be asking local healthcare professionals for their support.

Have your say

The consultation is open until 27 November and we are encouraging you to respond and make sure your voice is heard. The survey can be accessed online at:

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TalkHealthKirklees

Alternatively, you can request a hard copy the consultation document by emailing or calling the CCG on 01924 504938.

You can also write to your local MP – we have a sample letter on our website which you can use, or 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 to act as case studies in the media. This will help us to get the word out there about the proposed policy change and how it could impact the lives of 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, please visit www.coeliac.org.uk/prescriptionscampaign.