9 August 2012

Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) published their decision on the prescribing of gluten-free food for people with coeliac disease in Oxfordshire on 8 August. The full briefing from their meeting is available on the Oxfordshire website http://bit.ly/xUfNWB

Following our campaign against the possible removal of all gluten-free prescriptions in the Oxford area, we are pleased that OCCG will continue to provide access to gluten-free food on prescription for people with coeliac disease, including bread that is long life and fresh, rolls, baguettes, flour and bread mixes.

We are, however, disappointed that the Oxfordshire policy is not fully in line with National Guidelines. We believe that all gluten-free staple food approved to be on prescription should remain available including staples such as gluten-free pasta. We are concerned that restrictions to staple items on prescription could result in a negative impact to those that are elderly or on low incomes.

To those of you who have been in touch with us, helped us with the campaign and completed the consultation to make your voice heard, we say a huge thank you. By working together we have achieved the retention of this essential NHS service which we know is an important part of managing your condition. We hope that other Clinical Commissioning Groups who may be looking for places to cut NHS funding now consider this more seriously.

We will be submitting a formal response to the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group to raise concerns about the fact that the policy is not fully in line with National Guidelines, highlighting the importance of access to all staple gluten-free food on prescription for people with coeliac disease.