Lincolnshire East CCG, South Lincolnshire CCG, Lincolnshire West CCG and South West Lincolnshire CCG have launched a consultation on gluten-free prescribing and are considering reducing or withdrawing gluten-free food on prescription.
The CCGs currently follow National Prescribing Guidelines and prescribe up to 18 units (depending on age and gender) of gluten-free bread, pasta, flour, pizza bases and crackers.
The consultation
Not only is the removal of prescribing as an NHS support an option, we are also concerned that the survey does not provide the option to support the continuation of the national prescribing guidelines and only asks for views on complete removal or restriction of gluten-free food on prescription. We have raised this, along with other concerns with the CCG and will be escalating our concerns to Healthwatch.
Have your say
The consultation is open until 18 November and we would encourage you to respond to the consultation to make sure your voice is heard. The survey can be accessed online at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LincolnshireCCGsMedicinesManagement
To request a hard copy of the survey, or if you do not feel that the survey allows you to put your opinion across you can contact the CCG to share your views by email (adam_marshall@optum.com), phone 01476 406167 or in writing to Adam Marshall, Optum, South Kesteven District Council Offices, St Peters Hill, Grantham, NG31 6PZ.
What Coeliac UK is doing
Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive, will be on BBC Radio Lincolnshire at 7.20am tomorrow (Wednesday) making the case for gluten-free prescriptions to support people with coeliac disease.
Coeliac UK has submitted a formal response to the consultation in support of continuing access to gluten-free food on prescription. Our arguments focus on the importance of gluten-free staples on prescription to support management and adherence to the gluten-free diet in view of cost and availability issues. Research shows that gluten-free staple foods are not readily available to purchase in budget supermarkets and convenience stores and that gluten-free staple foods are 3-4 times more expensive than gluten containing equivalents. We will also be asking local healthcare professionals for their support.