Gluten-free funding to be scrapped

Funding for gluten-free foods in Harrogate is to be scrapped for all but the most vulnerable as the area's health authority looks to save Â£90,000 a year.

By The Newsroom

Published 12th Aug 2016, 06:21 BST

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Until now, the Harrogate and Rural District Clinical Commissioning Group (HaRD CCG) spent thousands funding prescriptions for foods such as breads and flours. But, following a public consultation, the authority has decided to cease funding to all but the most vulnerable.

Dr Rick Sweeney said the decision was made in part because of a significant increase in availability of products in supermarkets.

“The NHS does not provide food on prescription for other groups of patients whose diseases are associated with, or affected by, the type of food they eat and in line with many neighbouring CCGs across Yorkshire and the Humber, we believe this is the right action to take.”