Local healthcare commissioners have extended the consultation period regarding the prescribing of gluten-free foods and will hold a drop-in event to discuss the proposals with the public later this month.

The consultation, regarding proposals to replace prescribing of gluten-free foods with a top-up card scheme, will now run until 5pm on Friday 24 November. The consultation was originally only supposed to run until Sunday 5 November.

In addition, a public drop-in session to discuss the proposals will be held between 6-7pm on Wednesday 22 November at West Offices.

People are encouraged to offer their feedback on the proposals by completing the consultation survey before 5pm on Friday 24 November.

The survey can be completed by visiting www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GFFyork but is also available in alternative formats (eg: paper, large type, other languages).

Under the new proposals, the top-up card will be made available only to the most vulnerable patients, or their parents/ guardians, if they receive one of the following means-tested income benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (paid on its own or with a  contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (paid on its own or with contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance)
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit - paid on its own or with Pension Credit Savings Credit)
• NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
• Universal Credit

Dr Andrew Phillips, the CCG’s joint medical director, said: “We have extended the public consultation period to help ensure as many people as possible affected by the proposed changes to gluten-free food prescribing have the chance to provide feedback and ask questions.”

If you require the survey in an alternative format, please contact the CCG by phone (01904 555870) or by email (valeofyork.contactus@nhs.net).

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