A CHARITY fears “vulnerable patients” will be hit by a bid to axe gluten free prescriptions in mid Essex.

The Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group launched a public consultation last month detailing plans to make more savings.

It wants to save £100,000 by cutting prescriptions for gluten-free food.

It says a loaf of bread costs the NHS £3.41, while it is available for £1.50 in a supermarket, along with other foods which were not widely available in the past.

But Coeliac UK has opposed the plans saying it will leave patients unable to stick to their gluten free diet which could cause serious health problems.

A gluten-free diet is the only treatment for coeliac disease, a serious autoimmune condition caused by a reaction to gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK, said: “Mid Essex CCG has already significantly reduced the amount of units being prescribed to patients with coeliac disease and the suggestion to remove gluten-free prescription services for everyone of all ages, regardless of circumstances, with coeliac disease is being based on budgets rather than patient need.

“The provision of gluten-free staple food on prescription is a vital element of the support offered to these patients by the NHS and it is essential to prevent long term damage to health.”

Around 1 in 100 people in the UK has coeliac disease.

Research by Coeliac UK found that gluten free bread was up to 44p dearer per 100g than normal bread.

Mid Essex CCG is also looking to save £256,000 by axing vasectomies and female sterilisation, £335,000 by not routinely funding NHS hearing aids for people with mild hearing loss and £1million by cutting referrals from GPs to physiotherapists.

To respond to the consultation visit midessex ccg.nhs.uk.