The NHS is set to stop prescribing gluten-free foods to patients with coeliac disease as part of its latest budget cuts. GPs in England will also be advised against prescribing medications for conditions such as upset stomachs, travel sickness, and haemorrhoids, in an effort to eliminate waste from the NHS's £120bn annual budget.
Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, stated that it is no longer necessary to prescribe certain foods as they are widely available in supermarkets. However, critics warn that patients who rely on prescriptions due to financial hardship could be severely affected.
Coeliac patients who currently receive NHS help are being encouraged to share their stories. The NHS hopes that by cutting these prescriptions, it can redirect funds to more critical areas, but the move has sparked concern among those who depend on the support.
