Do coeliac sufferers need gluten-free food on the NHS?

WE’RE being asked whether glutenfree food items for people with coeliac disease, a painful digestive disorder, should be on the list of prescriptions to be stopped to help save the NHS millions of pounds. I’ve been diagnosed as coeliac for more than 23 years and it isn’t an easy diet to keep to, but to stay well and not be a drain on the NHS I do it. These cuts will affect not only people like me, a pensioner who has paid my National Insurance stamps for 40 years without receiving any benefits, but people with children, too. This disease is genetic, and there are families with more than one child affected. Gluten-free loaves are about £3 in the supermarket, but are only half the size of an ordinary loaf. Don’t

be swayed by the people saying: ‘It costs £20 for a prescription for a loaf of gluten-free bread — it’s far cheaper to buy it in the supermarket.’ We should be asking why it costs £20 for each prescription. We should come up with another solution, such as providing vouchers to be spent on gluten-free items at the supermarket. The danger is there are going to be many coeliacs who can’t afford to buy staple foods and will cost the NHS money in other ways.

ANNE BELL, Manchester.

I SUFFeR from coeliac disease, a painful digestive condition, and have found that gluten-free substitute foods don’t taste the same as the genuine article. I therefore restructured my diet so most of what I eat is naturally gluten free — meat, fish, vegetables and dairy

products. Food manufacturers are turning away from wheat in products like curries, chilli and sausages. they may not be on the gluten-free shelves, but the contents are listed on labels. If, by not claiming NhS gluten-free bread, I help some youngster get a muchneeded operation, all well and good — but the truth, is I don’t like the taste.

FRANK WALLIS, Loughton, Essex.

MY HUSBAND was diagnosed as a coeliac 20 years ago and I’m a little confused about the basics, sold in supermarkets, that he can safely eat with this condition. As far as I’m concerned, basics consist of potatoes, vegetables, fruit, eggs, rice, etc, not luxuries such as cakes, biscuits and frozen foods. Coeliacs are allergic to wheat, rye, barley and oats. I don’t travel miles to get gluten-free foods

because most supermarkets have a wide range, and it’s not always too expensive. It’s a personal choice to use frozen foods instead of fresh, and while branded flour is more expensive, own brands are available.

Mrs G. HARRISON, Croft, Leics.

It’S ridiculous to say that gluten free food isn’t widely available — I’ve long bought mine online and there is now an enormous range in most supermarkets. I’ve never had mine on prescription, since it’s quite easy just to cut down on something else if you find you’re spending a little more on food. And you don’t have to buy ready meals all the time — just cook it yourself. NhS spending on prescriptions needs to be reined in, and providing glutenfree food simply isn’t necessary.

JANET CLEAVES, Takeley, Essex.