Financial difficulties for Dorset families following end of Coeliac prescriptions

The NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board is withdrawing the gluten free prescription for
coeliacs this November.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects over 850 people in the Dorset
area, according to Coeliac UK.

Whilst other counties have already removed the prescription, NHS Dorset has followed
suit in a hope to save costs.

There are currently no plans for further aid to replace it.

A Bournemouth pharmacist said: “As prescription budgets are getting tighter, the
unfortunate decision was made to remove the one provided for coeliacs.

The NHS would have weighed up the costs and decided the savings made were more
beneficial overall.

Now it leaves those who relied upon the prescription to fend for themselves
despite rising costs.”

The prescription provides gluten free flour and bread for coeliacs as gluten free
products cost up to six times more than regular food.

Coeliac disease affects one in 100 people in the UK.

The removal of the prescription will increase their daily spending despite the cost-of-living crisis, which impacts many people’s lives already, without the added requirement to spend extortionate amounts on gluten free products.

Hannah Wells runs a gluten free bakery from her house after her daughter, aged 7, was
diagnosed with coeliac disease last year.

The Joyous Bakery owner said: “I don’t think people understand how much more
expensive gluten free products are.”

“We are a family that rely on universal credit, and the prescription was a lifeline for us –
it saved us at least £30 a month.”

“Having coeliac disease isn’t a choice, so why should they have to pay extra just to be
healthy?”

A coeliacs immune system will attack their small intestine if they consume gluten.

This could lead to many varying health conditions such as malnutrition, nausea, fatigue
and even cancer.

Sharon Valler was diagnosed 20 years ago and helps run a food surplus distribution
charity.

She said: “I know a family, through the surplus, that have eight children and four of them are
coeliacs.”

She added: “They will be hit hard by the end of the prescription – much more than me – and I can’t begin to imagine what it will be like for them.”