We are aware that Leeds North Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) along with Leeds South and East CCG and Leeds West CCG are reviewing their policy on access to gluten free food on prescription and are asking local people for their views. We are contacting you to make sure you have the chance to respond.
The CCGs currently follow the National Prescribing Guidelines and prescribe up to 18 units (depending on age and gender) of gluten free staple foods. However, the CCGs are now considering removing access to gluten free food on prescription.
Have your say
The consultation is open until 31 May 2017 and we would encourage you to respond to make sure your voice is heard. The online survey can be found here:
https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=148889698614
If you wish to request a hard copy of the survey, please contact the CCG by calling 0113 843 5470 or write to FREEPOST RTEG-JRZR-CLZG, NHS Leeds West CCG, Wira House, Wira Business Park, West Park Ring Road, Leeds, LS16 6EB
You can also send your views directly to your CCG by emailing: commsleedswestccg@nhs.net
We would also encourage you to write to your local MP, we have a sample letter on our website which you can use, or please feel free to write your own letter explaining how the proposed changes would affect you.
Share your story
As part of our work in opposing proposed prescription cuts, we are looking for people who would be affected by the proposed prescription cuts 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.
Coeliac UK communication with the CCGs
We will be submitting a formal response in support of continuing access to gluten free food on prescription. Our arguments will 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.
We will provide updates as the situation progresses through direct mailings, Crossed Grain magazine and on our website.