A health charity is strongly opposing proposed cuts to gluten-free prescriptions by the cash-strapped local NHS.

Coeliac UK has criticised West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) who are consulting over a plan to stop prescribing gluten-free foods as well as treatments for short-term, minor conditions where there is insufficient evidence of clinical benefit or cost effectiveness.

The CCG says it has a duty to ensure its budget is spent effectively and to promote self-care.

But Coeliac UK is concerned these cuts will leave vulnerable patients with coeliac disease without support.

The charity says this could affect their ability to stick to a gluten-free diet with the potential for serious long term health complications such as osteoporosis, infertility and, in some rare cases, small bowel cancer, costing the NHS more in the end.

Coeliacs are only allowed to eat gluten-free foods, some of which are available on prescription.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK, said: “The proposal by West Cheshire CCG to remove gluten-free prescription services for everyone with coeliac disease is being based on budgets rather than patient need or clinical evidence. The provision of gluten-free staple food on prescription is a vital element of the support offered to all patients by the NHS and it is essential to prevent long term damage to health.”

In England, prescriptions for gluten-free food are not free of charge unless someone already qualifies for free prescriptions. Currently 64% of CCGs across the country adhere to National Prescribing Guidelines, providing recommendations for GPs and policy makers on reasonable amounts of gluten-free staple foods such as bread, flour and pasta per patient per month, says the charity.

'Misleading comments'

Coeliac UK is also concerned over what it calls ‘misleading comments’ by West Cheshire CCG where it states: “The NHS does not provide food on prescription for other groups of patients whose diseases are associated with, or affected by, the type of food they eat but which can be managed by eating a diet naturally free from certain ingredients.”

Ms Sleet responded: “We do not believe that clinical commissioners should mislead the public implying that one patient group is receiving support at the expense of another. Further, food is available to other patient groups, such as those with phenylketonuria (PKU) who require a low protein diet. Also in the case of people with diabetes the NHS clinical guidance specifically states that these patients require a normal balanced diet and diabetic products are unnecessary, a fact which is also supported by Diabetes UK.

Access to gluten-free food 'critical'

“For someone medically diagnosed with coeliac disease there is no choice but to stick to a gluten-free diet, day in day out for life and so access to gluten-free staples is critical, and not as easy as you might think. The expansion of Free From aisles in large supermarkets masks the reality of very patchy provision.

“In particular, small stores and budget supermarkets have little, if any, gluten-free staples. Additionally, high prices make such products unaffordable for some. Both these issues put those the most in need at risk – those on a limited budget or with limited mobility.”

West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group

In a statement, the CCG said: “NHS West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has to ensure that the local health budget for our area is spent as effectively as possible, minimising waste and promoting self-care.

Focusing on 'urgent needs'

“This will ensure that we can focus our spending on those with the most urgent and complex needs. In line with this responsibility we have reviewed the money we spend on prescribing certain medicines, treatments, products and food items.

“In 2015/16 the CCG spent £758,000 on prescribing medicines for short-term, minor ailments which can be bought over the counter and £147,000 on prescribing gluten-free food.

“A 29p box of paracetamol can cost the NHS £40 to provide on prescription, while gluten-free food which can be purchased in shops for £32 would cost the NHS £75 to provide on prescription. From this review we have identified a range of items that we are proposing to stop prescribing in West Cheshire.”

The consultation is open until Sunday, July 31, 2016, at 5pm. Click here to fill in the online a survey or attend a scheduled event. Full details are available by visiting the CCG website.