Cessation of Gluten Free Products for Patients with Coeliac Disease
In light of the change to prescribing for over 18s, GPs are asked with immediate effect to:
- Remove gluten free bread and bread mix from medicine screens for over 18s.
- Cease to provide repeat prescriptions for these items.
The following letter will be sent to all patients affected by this change
Dear XXXXXX
Changes to gluten free bread and bread mixes prescribing across Cheshire and Merseyside
You are receiving this letter as you are patient who receives gluten free bread and / or bread mixes on an NHS prescription.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside – the integrated care board for the region – is responsible for planning NHS services for our population, which includes the care you receive at your GP practice, local pharmacy, NHS dentist, NHS opticians, or at hospital.
Following a recent public consultation, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board has agreed that prescribing of gluten free bread and bread mixes will stop for adults aged over 18. However, prescribing for under-18s will continue for a six-month period in those areas where prescribing is currently available.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside held a six-week public consultation from 28 January to 11 March 2025, on a proposal that in the future gluten free bread and bread mixes are no longer available on NHS prescription. You can find the report following the consultation on the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside website Gluten free - NHS Cheshire and Merseyside
However, the Board decided that until 28 November 2025, prescribing can continue for under 18s with coeliac disease or another diagnosed condition which means they need to follow a gluten free diet. This only applies to those areas where prescribing was already happening.
Having read this letter and visited our website, if you have any further queries, please contact our Patient Advice and Complaint Team on 0800 132 996 or by email enquiries@cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk
Yours Sincerely
Dr Fiona Lemmens
Associate Medical Director Transformation & Deputy Medical Director