20 October 2017

We are concerned by the proposal being put forward by the NHS Vale of York clinical commissioning group (CCG) to stop the prescribing of gluten free foods in favour of a means tested top up VISA card.

NHS Vale of York CCG has recently trialled a scheme using a top up VISA card to contribute to the cost of gluten free products, bought in retail, in place of having prescriptions for gluten free products.

We fully support new and innovative ways of supporting people with coeliac disease in managing their diet, but in regard to this proposal, we are concerned about the introduction of means testing to an NHS scheme.

The CCG is asking local people for their views, so we encourage you to have your say if you will be affected by the proposal. See below for information on taking part in the consultation.

We will also be submitting a formal response to the consultation and have raised with the CCG a number of concerns with the proposal:

• The proposal removes the role of GPs and other healthcare professionals in identifying patients with coeliac disease who need support
• The proposed criteria for access to the top-up card does not cover all vulnerable groups of people with coeliac disease who need support, for example, people with limited mobility who do not have access to large supermarkets or online access
• The top-up card has not been trialled with those who would receive the card under the new proposal, as means testing was not used during the pilot
• We are also concerned that providing financial support for people in receipt of benefits could impact upon eligibility to continue to receive benefits.

Have your say

The consultation is open until 5 November 2017 and you can complete the online survey at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GFFyork

The CCG have also organised a face to face event which you can attend to share your views. The date of the event is to be confirmed.

If you would like to request a hard copy of the consultation document please call Vale of York CCG on 01904 555870 or email valeofyork.contactus@nhs.net.

For further details on the criteria the CCG is applying for the scheme, please see their website at: www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/consultations-and-engagement/frequently-asked-questions-gluten-free-foods-prescribing/

We would also encourage you to 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 proposed changes would affect you.

Become a case study

As part of our work in opposing prescription cuts, we are looking for people affected by these changes to act as case studies. This will enable us to give examples to the media of how this policy change would affect people with coeliac disease. To become a case study or to find out more about interview opportunities please call us on 0333 332 2033.