Save Gluten Free Prescriptions

Coeliac disease is a long term health condition, which if left untreated, can lead to serious health complications, such as osteoporosis, fertility problems and in some cases, small bowel cancer. So, while small savings may be made now by cutting services for patients, there are likely to be long term financial implications resulting from this decision by the CCG. It is effectively a false economy.
Coeliac Disease is often diagnosed alongside Type I Diabetes, both auto immune diseases. The effective control of Coeliac disease has a direct affect on the control of diabetes in patients.
TRUE: Coeliac disease patients often have Type I Diabetes
TRUE: Controlling Coeliac Disease helps in the control of Type I Diabetes
FALSE: Type I Diabetes is a lifestyle disease - No. That is Type II. Type I is an auto immune disease.
TRUE: Coeliac Disease is a diet controlled disease.
FALSE: Coeliacs can eat without using gluten free foods. Unless you're a fruitarian or a health addict, this is a false assumption. How often do YOU eat wheat?
TRUE: Many foods have hidden Gluten.
TRUE: Gluten Free Foods are prohibitively expensive and often a lot smaller
FALSE: Coeliacs order cakes, jellies and biscuits (They are not available to us)
TRUE: The government should renegotiate with suppliers who charge excessive handling charges. NOT penalise the patient.
TRUE: If some local health care authorities or doctors authorise the purchase of sweet items (mine doesn't) on prescription this should stop. The list should be revised to only include breads, flours, cereal, pastas and pizza.
TRUE: Coeliacs often dislike wheat free substitutes. However the items on prescription are generally of a higher quality than supermarket items.
TRUE: A large standard gluten loaf costs .80p - £1. A SMALL Gluten free loaf costs £3
TRUE: It's not fun being Coeliac. However having a son who is both Diabetic and Coeliac is a huge worry. One has the potential to cause cancer, the other loss of limbs or death. If the Coeliac Disease is not controlled, it affects the control of Diabetes? To say it keeps me awake at night is an understatement.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE sign this petition. Ask the government to reform the list of items available to non sugar items only. Do NOT let them take away this vital service. A large percentage of low income families will not be able to afford the gluten free alternatives. People on high incomes probably don't use this service anyway.

My son was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes age 17. After two years and many changes in medication the hospital couldn't stabilise my son's Diabetes. They decided to test him for Coeliac Disease which tested positive. The government is opening the door to a huge amount of health issues with this move. Coeliac disease can cause cancer.
Gluten free food is prohibitively expensive. In addition the quality of the food available on prescription is of a higher quality than that available in store.