Experts representing dietitians, paediatricians and specialist clinicians have signed a joint letter, sent to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting. In the letter, the organisations highlight “growing health inequities” and an urgent “risk of preventable harm” to people with coeliac disease – a serious autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system damages the lining of the small bowel. The group is particularly concerned about children and low-income households, after the removal of gluten free prescriptions by an increasing number of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England.
An estimated 1 in 100 people in the UK has coeliac disease. When left untreated, coeliac disease can lead to other significant health issues, and the only treatment is a strict gluten free diet, so it’s vital that those with the condition can easily access the gluten free food they need to stay well.
Gluten free prescriptions provide a lifeline to patients with coeliac disease, providing access to gluten free bread and flour in recognition of the significant additional costs and limited availability of these products. The letter, signed by the Chair of Coeliac UK’s Health Advisory Council the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health and British Dietetic Association, warns that the postcode lottery is “worsening health outcomes for patients with coeliac disease” and also “increases the burden on NHS services through avoidable complications”.
The organisations highlight the significant financial burden facing patients, as research from Coeliac UK shows that a weekly gluten free food shop can cost up to 35% more than a standard shop. 8 in 10 people report struggling to afford gluten free staples and 3 in 10 knowingly consume foods labelled ‘may contain gluten’ due to cost pressures.
These figures show the financial strain is already pushing patients, especially families and those on low incomes, towards dangerous compromises that can trigger intestinal damage, lead to serious complications, and increase avoidable costs across the NHS.
New analysis from Coeliac UK, shows that across England’s 42 ICBs:
- 43% have fully withdrawn gluten free prescriptions
- 14% have partially withdrawn
- 21% have mixed or inconsistent policies
- Proposals for withdrawal more tripled in 2025 compared with 2024
Worryingly, many decisions were also made without clinical input, using inaccurate population data and with no assessment of long-term NHS costs.
Dave Sanders is the Chair of Coeliac UK’s Health Advisory Council, which is made up of eminent health experts from across the UK, who provide expert medical guidance to the charity. He said:
“As experts in the condition, we are deeply concerned and disappointed at the increasing number of ICBs choosing to remove this crucial lifeline for patients with coeliac disease. This is a backward step and puts patients with a serious autoimmune disease at risk not just of debilitating symptoms but also associated conditions like osteoporosis, neurological dysfunction, unexplained infertility and in rare cases, even small bowel cancer.
“It will be our patients and the wider health service that pays the price for commissioner’s short-term thinking, and it is high time the UK Government stepped in to put a stop to this developing postcode lottery.”
Tristan Humphreys, Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs, said:
“We welcome these comments from experts in the field, as people with coeliac disease need equitable access to the only treatment available to them. The rapid, ill-considered withdrawal of gluten free prescriptions is creating clear and unacceptable health inequalities. This situation is urgent, and it is avoidable.”
The coalition of healthcare bodies is calling for an urgent national review, national guidance for ICBs and an immediate meeting with the Secretary of State. Both Scotland and Wales have solutions in place which supports patients to stay well, reduce GP workloads, and protect low income households. Coeliac UK and partner organisations urge the Government to adopt a similarly modernised, national approach.
The joint letter
The Rt. Hon. Wes Streeting MP Secretary of State for Health & Social Care Department of Health & Social Care 39 Victoria Street London SW1H 0EU
3 February 2026
Re: Healthcare professionals’ concerns over growing health inequities for people with coeliac disease and the impact for patients and the service
Dear Secretary of State,
We are writing to you as representatives of the healthcare profession to express our concerns regarding the widespread withdrawal of gluten free prescribing for patients with coeliac disease across much of England and the resultant implications for health inequity. It is our view that the current landscape in England is putting the most vulnerable coeliac patients, including children, at risk of harm. As such, it requires urgent review.
We are concerned that this policy shift undermines the UK Government’s commitments under the 10 Year Plan for Healthcare, particularly the pledge to prevent ill health and reduce health inequalities. The removal of gluten free prescribing not only risks worsening health outcomes for patients with coeliac disease but also increases the burden on NHS services through avoidable complications. At a time when governments in Europe and across the rest of the UK are recognising the public health implications of undiagnosed and untreated coeliac disease, it is time the UK Government showed leadership and urgently reviewed gluten free prescribing provision in England, putting an end to a postcode lottery that is detrimentally affecting an increasing number of UK citizens.
We layout our concerns in more detail in the attached briefing and request a meeting with yourself and officials at the earliest opportunity.
Yours sincerely,
Professor David Sanders Chair Coeliac UK Health Advisory Council
Professor Steve Turner President Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health
Emma Stennett Specialist Gastroenterology Group British Dietetic Association