Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

When you can get 8 loaves on prescription what do you call it - charity?

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

My thinking is that if the HHS was serious about saving money they could start by making all patients including kids (regardless of circumstance) make a nomimnal co-payment of £10 for each appointment , soon clear out the malingerers ;)

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

Hardly, that's just one person & one instance, the decision apparently is up to the patients GP following guidelines set out for such cases, horses for courses & suchlike.

Prescriptions | Coeliac UK

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

A prescription for -
"breads, rolls, pastas, flour and bread mixes, pizza bases and crackers. ...Sweet biscuits and cake mixes are being restricted in some areas."
..can hardly be described as medicine can it?:rolleyes:

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

Mere semantics Marg, at no point was it said they were medicines, the word being used is prescription. ;) Just that, prescription, the fact that it's in conjunction with the NHS the presumption is that the talk must be about medicine. :)

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

Advice only needed - "Don't eat food containing gluten"

....that must be easier than telling an alky not to drink.
Gluten is not addictive

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

Coeliac is not a new disorder.......it has been present in the population for a long time, but for many years it was not accurately diagnosed.
Children were frequently admitted to paediatric wards in a malnourished state......despite the fact that their parents said they had healthy appetities.
They were labelled Failure to Thrive(FTT) and then diagnosis became possible by taking a small biopsy from the gut.....this showed that the children had a metabolic disorder....they could not digest the gluten in wheat.

While I can understand Margaret's viewpoint, I do not subscribe to it.

Being able to have bread in their diet makes children feel more 'normal'...even though that bread is special......and to expect parents to fund this special dietary requirement out of their own pockets may place a financial burden on them that would be unacceptable.

As for making the bread yourself........well for some people that is an option, but for others, it wouldn't be practical.

You also need to realise that when coeliac is talked about, it is more than bread and cakes and biscuits that have to be avoided....anything that uses wheat flour as a 'thickener' is also forbidden. If you have a family member with a food allergy, you have to walk the minefield that is food labelling.

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

Easier said than done, how many people really know what they're getting served up to them despite specifying certain dietary needs especially if they're eating away from home ? Not many I'd think.

Point in case Marg P's comments above. :)

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

I think you are right there Dave........Hospital kitchens understand the needs of coeliacs, but commercial catering establishments frequently do not.
Some people who are intolerant of gluten are also Lactose intolerant too.

I nursed quite a few patients who were both.

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

Diabetics have to learn about diet in order to survive/thrive... are you suggesting that Coeliacs aren't capable of managing their condition in the same way?

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

No I don't think that Coeliacs are not capable of managing their diet.......but if they get foodstuffs on prescription, they will have to pay the required prescription charges unless they are over 60 or are a child.....and these days the precription charges aren't cheap.

It is possible that buying the gluten free bread from the supermarket is cheaper than getting prescriptions....because I am sure that most coeliacs restrict the amount of bread they eat.
I have a friend who is coeliac and she only has bread as toast in a morning.

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

As you pointed out some are blissfully unaware.

Far from it, those aware of their situation can take steps & no doubt do so, but they can't cover for circumstances beyond their control which will always be a risk factor.

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

Food labelling is so strictly regulated that everyone who can read is in control of what passes their lips. Only children and illiterates need assistance and guidance.

The likelihood is that some people don't care what they eat as long as they ease hunger.
You eat to nourish your body - much of the processed food eaten doesn't do that.

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

What a load of crap, what yer saying is those folk should "Never" eat out, cos wi best will in world cafes/restaurants, etc would have no idea,if certain foods are gluten free,:( think yer being very peevish on this issue.

Re: One example of many within the NHS
 

Gluten free restaurants and pubs, gluten free hotels and accommodation, gluten free cafes and coffee shops, gluten free takeaways and fastfood
Eating out needs more care but isn't impossible.
I searched this site and found one listed in each category in Blackburn - none in Accrington.

I have eaten out with my coeliac cousin in Wales and when on holiday with her in La Palma.
She needed to ask the waiter about ingredients and select her dishes accordingly.

eg. I have never seen a salad with gluten - just have an oil dressing - no mayonnaise