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Coeliac UK has raised grave concerns about the decision by NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB) to withdraw gluten free prescriptions for people with a diagnosis of coeliac disease and its potential impact on their health.
The charity highlighted the significant additional cost of gluten free staple substitute products, which poses a real challenge to maintaining the gluten free diet, the only treatment for the condition.
Coeliac UK noted that 72 per cent of respondents to a recent public consultation disagreed with the ICB’s proposal to stop gluten free prescribing, and said it is “deeply concerned” by the potential impact of the decision to proceed with removal of provision.
The charity accused the ICB of making no meaningful effort to reduce the impact of this policy change for those on low incomes, despite the additional cost of gluten free food being highlighted by 58 per cent of those who disagreed with the proposal.
“These changes remove a much-needed lifeline for those with coeliac disease at a time when the cost of living crisis is hitting people with coeliac disease particularly hard,” Tristan Humphreys, head of advocacy at Coeliac UK, said.
“Our own research has shown that those on a budget are paying on average six times as much for the cheapest loaf they need to stay healthy. As we explained to the ICB, it is not as simple as switching bread and flour for rice and potatoes. Gluten free substitute foods are important for both practical reasons and for their nutritional contribution to the diet.”
Humphreys said the ICB’s plan to phase out gluten free prescribing by the end of January 2025 allows little time to prepare or adapt to this significant additional financial burden Read More….
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