A CHARITY for people with coeliac disease is strongly opposing proposed cuts to gluten free prescriptions by St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for people in the area diagnosed with the condition.

Coeliac UK is concerned the cuts will affect patients' ability to stick to the gluten free diet.

Potential serious long-term health complications of not maintaining a gluten-free diet include osteoporosis, infertility and, in rare cases, small bowel cancer - conditions that could cost the NHS a lot more in the long run, says a charity spokesperson.

St Helens CCG is currently consulting with patients and carers about their views on a number of issues including whether to continue to prescribe staple gluten-free foods in the area. The consultation is running until October 5, 2016.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition caused by a reaction to gluten - a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK, said: "For someone medically diagnosed with coeliac disease, there is no choice but to stick to a gluten free diet, day-in day-out for life and so access to gluten free staples is critical, and not as easy as you might think.

"The expansion of 'free from' aisles in large supermarkets masks the reality of very patchy provision. In particular, small stores and budget supermarkets have little, if any, gluten free staples. Additionally, high prices make such products unaffordable for some. Both these issues put those the most in need at risk - those on a limited budget or with limited mobility."

Last year, St Helens CCG spent approximately £103,000 on gluten free foods for both adults and children.

Ms Sleet added: "The proposal by St Helens CCG to remove gluten free prescription services for everyone with coeliac disease is being based on budgets rather than patient need or clinical evidence. The provision of gluten free staple food on prescription is a vital element of the support offered to all patients by the NHS and it is essential to prevent long-term damage to health.

"The CCG states in its consultation papers that gluten is not essential in people's diets and can be replaced by other foods. However, simple switching to alternative carbs such as rice and potatoes risks malnutrition with bread alone providing between 10 and 20 per cent of our most important nutrients such as protein, calcium and iron - but potatoes and rice only providing a fraction of this."

In England, prescriptions for gluten free food are not free of charge unless someone already qualifies for free prescriptions. Currently 63 per cent of CCGs across the country adhere to National Prescribing Guidelines, providing recommendations for GPs and policymakers on reasonable amounts of gluten free staple foods such as bread, flour and pasta per patient per month.

The link to the online consultation is surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZZ7G5ZV.