Debate in Rutland over whether the NHS should continue to prescribe some gluten free items

There's a major debate in Rutland over whether gluten free items should be available under prescription or not.

A consultation's begun.

Currently people diagnosed with coeliac disease are prescribed a maximum of eight units of gluten-free bread or flour per month but they are available in shops and the NHS is considering scrapping this service

Tristan Humphreys, Head of Advocacy at Coeliac UK thinks it should stay.

He told us: "Products like bread costs significantly more - they are not readily available despite what some might have you believe."

It's not the time now during a cost of living crisis to remove a crucial lifeline

"That's why we're so concerned about these proposals."

"It's not the time now during a cost of living crisis to remove a crucial lifeline from people. "

"We believe they will put people who are least able to afford it in really challenging situations and as a result risk their health."

We also spoke to Dr Nil Sanganee, Chief Medical Officer for the region.

The vast majority of people who've got coeliac disease in Leicestershire and Rutland aren't currently getting gluten free products on prescription

He says: "Many of our patients prefer the products they can choose for themselves when they're going shopping rather than the very limited range that's available from the NHS."

"The vast majority of people who've got coeliac disease in Leicestershire and Rutland aren't currently getting gluten free products on prescription and that suggests they're getting them from the supermarket anyway."

NHS services in the region has issued a statement:

Patients diagnosed with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis are currently prescribed a maximum of eight units of gluten-free bread or flour per month.

The public consultation closes on Sunday 25 August

Prescriptions for gluten-free products are taken up by approximately 1,300 people across LLR.

The public consultation, which closes on Sunday 25 August 2024, will inform future decisions made by the NHS as to whether it should continue to prescribe gluten-free products.

The LLR ICB’s proposals are based on a number of factors, including the increased availability of gluten-free foods. In the past gluten-free foods were less easy to obtain, so they were made available from local pharmacies via prescription.

However, with an increased awareness of coeliac disease and gluten intolerance, as well as a general trend towards eating less gluten, there is greater availability of these foods in many supermarkets and online.

Improvements have also been made to food labelling so that it is easier to see whether ordinary foods are free from gluten.

{{news}}