Gluten Free
Change to the Provision of Gluten Free Foods from 1st July 2022
Following public consultation in 2021, a decision was made by the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Body on 29th March 2022 to cease routine provision of Gluten Free Foods across the BLMK Integrated Care System from 1st July 2022.
This means that Gluten Free foods will no longer be available on prescription in the BLMK ICS area from that date.
The Governing Body however recognised increases in the cost of living and the pressures on households and agreed to make provision in the policy to allow residents who are at risk of dietary neglect to access gluten-free foods off prescription, where required.
Residents who are at risk of dietary neglect will be able to access gluten free foods (breads and flour mixes) directly from their pharmacies with no GP involvement. Please refer to the flow chart below for eligibility criteria.
GPs were asked to contact those patients affected by letter before 1st July 2022 explaining the new process.
Residents affected who have any questions or require any assistance with the change should contact their Dietitian by e-mail on food.first@nhs.net or the ICB by e-mail blmkicb.contactus@nhs.net.
Resources:
- BLMK Gluten Free Foods Eligibility Flow Chart – UPDATED DECEMBER 2022
- BLMK ICB Gluten Free Foods proforma – UPDATED NOVEMBER 2022
- National Prescribing Guidelines from coeliac.org.uk
- BLMK Gluten Free Patient order form (excel)(including eligibility criteria) – UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2022
- BLMK Gluten Free Patient order form (pdf) – UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2022
- List of Gluten Free Foods available to eligible BLMK Residents (DRUG TARIFF FOR ENGLAND ONLY) – Gluten Free foods available on Drug Tariff – retrieved June 2023
- How much should be prescribed – Coeliac UK – Includes monthly UNITS recommended for patients and their equivalent product value
- NEW: BLMK ICB Gluten Free Foods Scheme: Participating Pharmacies
