The future of gluten free on prescription is up for debate in the UK, as some recent changes to NHS prescriptions have either limited or completely removed gluten free products on prescription, depending on the area of the UK in which you live. It’s important that patients know what to expect with these changes and how it might change the landscape of living gluten free in the UK over the coming years. This guide will talk through the prescription changes and where you can still receive gluten free prescriptions.
Potential changes to gluten free prescriptions
Several Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England have reduced or removed gluten free prescriptions this year, with more plans to stop them over the coming months in some areas of the country. This will have a big impact on people with coeliac disease, adding cost to their grocery shop, and potentially causing health problems to those who cannot afford to buy solely gluten free food without a prescription to support them.
Contact your ICB
In England, access to gluten free products on prescription depends on where you live. This postcode lottery is something that Coeliac UK campaigns against, and you can join the campaign to help make the changes we need to make a difference.. If you are struggling to access gluten free prescriptions where you live, there are some things that you can do. Your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) may have restricted prescriptions in your area. Contact your local ICB if this is the case where you live.
NHS complaints procedure
Another way to get your voice heard and to improve the future of gluten free food on prescription is to understand the NHS complaints procedure. By lodging an official complaint with the NHS, it is another voice added to the list that wants to see positive change to help all people suffering with coeliac disease.
The NHS complaints procedure is:
- Make a complaint to your GP – the first step is to complain to your GP. GP practices have a clear complaints procedure, which you can ask about to make sure a written complaint is processed correctly.
- Contact your ICB – as mentioned above, if you are still unhappy, contact your local ICB if you live in England, your Local Health Board in Scotland and Wales, or your Health & Social Care Board in Northern Ireland.
- Contact your MP – You can also contact your local MP to raise any concerns that you have. This is a good way to join the campaign that has been in place for quite some time regarding gluten free prescriptions.
Take advantage of gluten free products on prescription
Recent changes to NHS gluten free prescriptions in some areas of the UK might make it more challenging for those diagnosed with coeliac disease to acquire the gluten free products that they store as staples in their kitchen cupboards. For most parts of the UK, as you can see above, there are still provisions for gluten free food on prescription, making it easier for those seeking assistance with gluten free food to find the staple products for everyday use.
After a diagnosis by your GP or medical professional, the next step to living a gluten free life is to understand whether or not you qualify for gluten free products on prescription. Depending on the area of the country that you live in, you’ll have access to different types of products, such as gluten free bread, pizza bases, crackers, gluten free pasta, and gluten free flour mixes. This provides you with the peace of mind that you always have gluten free products at home that you can use. If you combine this with the wide variety of gluten free products that are now available in supermarkets and stores, it is possible to make an effective switch to a gluten free diet much easier than it once was.
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