'Lots of people can't afford to eat gluten-free'

A woman with coeliac disease has warned ending gluten-free prescriptions would hurt people struggling financially.

NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has launched a survey on whether it should stop prescribing gluten-free bread and flour.

China Tebb, 28, who runs a gluten-free bakery in Navenby, said: "I think it's quite controversial and problematic. There are lots of people who can't afford to eat gluten-free and rely on a prescription service."

The ICB said it had "a responsibility to spend taxpayers' money in such a way that is fair to all".

Ms Tebb, who was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 20, added: "For the vast majority of people who are gluten-free, it isn't a choice, it's something to be taken seriously."

She said coeliac disease caused her to have "very intense, severe reactions within 10 minutes of eating a single breadcrumb".

In Lincolnshire, about 800 patients with coeliac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis get a prescription for up to eight units of gluten-free bread or flour a week.

The survey will run until 13 May and the ICB said it was proposing for "as many people as safely possible" to come off the prescriptions.

However, it wanted to "understand what this means for people and their families" before making a final decision.

Dr Sunil Hindocha, a GP and medical director for the ICB, said: "Our role is to buy all healthcare services for the population of Lincolnshire and we have a duty to spend taxpayers' money equitably and in a way that brings the most value to as many people as possible.

"Many people who are gluten intolerant buy their own bread and bread mixes, whilst a small number receive these on prescription.

"We need to have an equitable approach across the Lincolnshire population and use our resources with this consideration in mind."

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