Press Release
For immediate release 16thFebruary 2017
Health & Social Care Board Clarify Gluten Free Prescriptions
With the recent headlines surrounding the withdrawal of gluten free food on prescription in some areas of England, Coeliac sufferers across Northern Ireland have been left wondering if their prescription service is under threat.
In January, the Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group, an NHS organisation serving around 175,000 people in South London, made the decision to remove gluten free food from the prescription service, sparking further fears for other areas in the UK.
Following a meeting between Gluten Free Ireland and the Patient Client Council (PCC) in November last year, the PCC arranged a meeting with the Health & Social Care Board (HSCB) who had issued the original guidance on gluten free food for Northern Ireland in November 2011.
This meeting took place in January with Gluten Free Ireland, the PCC and the HSCB to clarify the future of gluten free food on prescription.
Updated Guidance for Gluten Free Food on Prescription
As a result, the following guidance has been issued to all HSC Trusts:
Prescribing policy in Northern Ireland remains unchanged – GF Food is available on Prescription.
HSCB continue to endorse Coeliac UK Guidance for prescribing i.e. only the following staple foods should be prescribed:
- Bread or Bread rolls
- Breakfast cereals
- Crackers and crispbreads
- Flour/flour-type mixes
- Oats
- Pasta
- Pizza bases
In order to access Gluten Free food on prescription in NI the following conditions must be met:
- All patients should have a confirmed diagnosis of Coeliac Disease, Dermatitis Herpetiformis or Steatorrhoea due to gluten sensitivity.
- Quantities supplied via prescription should follow the recommendations from Coeliac UK.
- A maximum of one month’s supply should be prescribed at a time.
- Only staple foods (as above) should be supplied on prescription as per Coeliac UK guidance - Items which are not consistent with healthy eating advice such as biscuits, cakes, muffins, pasties and sausage rolls should not be supplied on health service prescription.
Derek Thompson, director at Gluten Free Ireland: “This clarification from the Health & Social Care Board is a very welcome development and should make it much easier for Coeliacs to obtain their GF food on Prescription.”
The monthly quantities of prescription food which diagnosed sufferers are entitled to depend on a number of factors, including gender and age.Your GP or Dietitian will be able to advise you.
Coeliac Disease in Ireland
Coeliac disease affects one out of every hundred people in Ireland.
The after effects of eating food containing gluten varies from a painful rash to sickness and joint pain and in exceptionally rare cases, anaphylaxis.Many people not diagnosed with Coeliac disease choose to lead a gluten free lifestyle to ease similar symptoms they experience.
Gluten Free Ireland
Gluten Free Ireland was started by husband and wife team, Derek and Christina Thompson from their home in Ballynahinchin 2010. Since then built by their son Michael, has become one of the best known and most active communities for people with Coeliac disease in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Building on the success of their hospitality database, a comprehensive list created by hand, Derek and Christina published the first guide book for eating out gluten free in Ireland in 2013. They also host a series of gluten free food fairs across Northern Ireland throughout the year.
Notes for Editors:
Gluten Free Ireland Limited is owned and operated by Derek and Christina Thompson and based in Ballynahinch, County Down
UK: 028 9263 9992
ROI: 048 9263 9992
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For urgent press enquiries please contact Michael Thompson on: UK 07899 894205
ROI: +44 7899 894205
Gluten Free Ireland Limited
30 CreevytenantRoad, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8UW
UK Tel: 028 9263 9992 ~ ROI Tel: 048 9263 9992 ~