GLUTEN- FREE FOOD SCHEME Information Pack If you can access the internet, the Tayside Nutrition website (Coeliac Disease) is regularly updated check for the latest versions of documents and news August 2012 Copyright (C) 2009 (J. Walker & F. Headridge) Tayside Nutrition Managed Clinical Network, NHS Tayside. This publication can be used or reproduced including photocopying, for non-commercial purposes. We request that the source and Copyright owners be acknowledged and that the material is not substantially altered in any way. Applications for use outwith these terms should be forwarded in writing to the Tayside Nutrition MCN Manager (Coeliac Disease GFFS Project Lead), Directorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside, King s Cross, Clepington Road, Dundee, DD3 8EA. Tayside Gluten-Free Food Scheme, Patient Information Pack 1
Quick Guide on how to use the Gluten-Free Food Scheme Please note that you will no longer be able to get your gluten-free food prescriptions from your GP. Registering on the Gluten-Free Food Scheme 1. Take, or get someone to take, the enclosed Patient Registration Form to the community pharmacist you now wish to get your gluten-free prescriptions from. 2. The pharmacist will explain to you how the Scheme works and complete the necessary paperwork. Placing your order 3. Look through the Prescribable Gluten-Free Food List and choose the product(s) you would like to order. Take care not to go over the monthly total number of units allocated to you. 4. Fill in the Gluten-Free Food Requirement Order Form and take it to your identified pharmacy (if you would like a copy for your records, ask if they can photocopy it for you). 5. The pharmacist will contact you when your order is ready for collection. 6. You need to fill in a new food order form each month. You can change the foods you order if you want to. If you want the same order as last month, simply tell the pharmacist. Annual Coeliac Health Check 7. If you have Coeliac Disease, once a year (usually during the month of your birthday) the pharmacist will complete a Coeliac health check with you. You will be asked to attend the pharmacy at a time that suits you. If you have any worries or need more help regarding the Scheme, please contact: Fiona Headridge, Specialist Dietetic Practitioner for Coeliac Disease (part-time), 01307-475228, fheadridge@nhs.net or Jacqueline Walker, Project Lead (part-time, term-time), jwalker6@nhs.net Tayside Gluten-Free Food Scheme, Patient Information Pack 2
Guide to the Gluten-Free Food Scheme NHS Tayside is changing the way people on a gluten-free diet get their gluten-free food. Rather than having to visit your GP Practice to change your gluten-free food prescription, you will now make changes directly with your local pharmacist (chemist). Within this pack is a list of all the gluten-free foods that are available for you on prescription (the Prescribable Gluten-Free Food List ). All you need to do is make your choices each month from the food list and fill in the Gluten-Free Food Requirement Order Form which you then take in to the pharmacy. This will allow you the flexibility of trying different foods and changing your order (if you wish) every month, without having to make an appointment with your GP Practice to do so. How many gluten-free units should be prescribed? There are national recommendations for the number of gluten-free units you are entitled to each month, which vary by how old you are and whether you are male or female. The amount of gluten-free units you are given should meet your individual dietary needs. Age and Sex Units per Month 1-3 years 10 4-6 years 11 7-10 years 13 11-14 years 15 15-18 years 18 Male 19-59 years 18 Male 60-74 years 16 Male 75+ years 14 Female 19-74 years 14 Female 75+ years 12 Breastfeeding +4 3 rd trimester of pregnancy +1 Prescribable gluten-free foods such as biscuits and cake mixes are luxury items containing little nutritional value and should not be staple foods in your diet. For this reason you are limited to 3 units of these foods per month. If you feel you need more than the above national recommendations then your pharmacist or GP can refer you to a dietitian who will then assess you to agree an appropriate number of units. How much is a gluten-free unit worth? Each prescribable gluten-free food item has been valued on the following basis: Food Item Units 400g bread/rolls/baguette 1 500g flour/cake/bread mix 2 200g biscuits/crackers/crispbreads 1 250g pasta 1 2 pizza bases 1 300g breakfast cereal/500g oats 1½ Tayside Gluten-Free Food Scheme, Patient Information Pack 3
Are prescription charges still payable? As from April 2011, there are no prescription charges in Scotland. Can I go to any pharmacy for my gluten-free foods? Yes. You can choose which pharmacy you get your gluten-free foods from but you must register with this pharmacy and always go to this pharmacy. If you want to move to a different pharmacy, ask your new pharmacist to complete a Change of Pharmacy Form. How do I register with the Scheme? Take the Patient Registration Form with you to the pharmacy you wish to get your gluten-free foods from and they will set up the Scheme for you. What are the benefits to me of the Gluten Free Food Scheme? By using the Scheme you have more control and variety in your diet. You can make changes to your order on a monthly basis if need be, so that you can try different foods. You can make sure that you are receiving the number of units you are entitled to. You will have regular contact with your community pharmacist who will be a point of contact to other health professionals who you may wish to talk to about aspects of your care from time to time. Your pharmacist will also be able to discuss with you the various gluten-free foods that are available to help meet your individual needs. What do I need to do? 1. Register with the pharmacy of your choice. Take, or get someone to take, the enclosed Patient Registration Form to the community pharmacist you want to get your gluten-free prescriptions from. The pharmacist will explain to you how the Scheme will work and answer any questions you may have. They will also complete the necessary paperwork. 2. Placing your order Included in this pack are Gluten-Free Food Requirement Order Forms. Look through the Prescribable Gluten-Free Food List (enclosed) and choose which products you would like to order. These might be the same as the ones you previously had on repeat prescription or something completely different. Take care not to go over the total number of units you are allowed for the month and make sure that you do not choose more than 3 units from Section B (luxury foods). Tayside Gluten-Free Food Scheme, Patient Information Pack 4
Fill in the food order form with your details and the gluten-free product(s) you have chosen. Give the completed food order form to the pharmacist. If you are ordering fresh products, please refer to the Food List and allow sufficient time for processing. If you would like a copy for your records, either copy it onto a spare form or ask the pharmacist if they can photocopy it for you. The pharmacist will contact you when your order is ready to be collected. Ask your pharmacist for more order forms, or visit the website You need to complete a new food order form each month - you can change the foods you order if you want to. If you want to order the same as last month, simply tell the pharmacist. Can I carry over units to next month? No. If you do not use up all of your units these cannot be saved for a later date. What if I don t need any gluten-free foods this month? You do not need to place an order if you do not need anything. Simply put in an order form the next time you need gluten-free products. Can I e-mail my order form to the pharmacy? Ask your individual pharmacy if this service is available. Can I put in more than 1 form in any one month? Ask your individual pharmacist if you are able to do this. If storage or transport is difficult for you, this may be considered (you must not go over your monthly units though). I don t want to change what I am ordering each month. Can I just put in a repeat order form? Ask your individual pharmacist if this service is available. What do I do if I lose my order forms or Gluten-Free Food List? You can ask your pharmacist to make new copies for you, visit the Tayside Nutrition website where you can download the forms and Food List or telephone/e-mail Jen Batty on 01382-424063, jenbatty@nhs.net and new forms will be sent out to you. Tayside Gluten-Free Food Scheme, Patient Information Pack 5
I am moving house or need to change my pharmacy, what do I need to do? If you are moving house but are still able to go to the same pharmacy, simply tell the pharmacist of your new address and let us know for our records (telephone/e-mail the Lead Dietitian on 01307-475228 fheadridge@nhs.net or Jen Batty, Administrator - Tayside Nutrition MCN jenbatty@nhs.net 01382-424063). If you are moving further away (please note that this Scheme is only available within Tayside) or wish to change pharmacy, you will need to register with a new pharmacy. To do this, ask your new pharmacist to fill in a Change of Pharmacy Form and give them a note of your present pharmacy so that they can clarify the number of units you require. Please take your Prescribable Gluten-Free Food List with you. How often will the Food List be updated? As new products become available or are deleted, the list will be updated as necessary. Your local community pharmacist can keep you updated. Regular updates will also be available on the website There are foods I know that are available on prescription but they do not appear on the Food List. Why is this? This list does not include all foods that are currently available on prescription. This list is a local Tayside list which does not include products that have expensive delivery and/or handling costs. This has been agreed following discussions with patients who trialled the Scheme. 3. Annual Assessment (Coeliac Disease patients only) I have been asked to attend the pharmacy for an Annual Coeliac Health Check If you have Coeliac Disease, once a year (usually during the month of your birthday) the pharmacist will complete an Annual Coeliac Health Check Form with you. You will be asked to attend your pharmacy at a time that suits you. What sort of questions will I be asked at the Annual Coeliac Health Check? You will have your weight and height checked and the pharmacist will ask you if you have any symptoms relating to your Coeliac Disease whether you have had your bone strength checked and if you would benefit from seeing any other health professionals. The pharmacist will also check to see if you are still entitled to the same number of units as before. Tayside Gluten-Free Food Scheme, Patient Information Pack 6
Is it necessary to attend for an Annual Coeliac Health Check? Ideally people with Coeliac Disease should have a yearly health check but often this does not happen. This brief check will give you the chance to discuss any concerns and the pharmacist can then make sure that you are put in touch with the correct health professional to help you. I have never seen a Dietitian - what do I do if I need to have contact with one? Ask your pharmacist to complete a referral letter to your local Dietitian. I have additional food intolerances/allergy. Some of the foods I get on prescription at the moment are not included in the food list. Please contact your local Dietitian. Section C of the food list will then be completed to include suitable products. Sometimes it seems a long time from ordering the fresh bread until I get it? Check the Prescribable Gluten-Free Food List for exact details of when to place your order. If you miss the deadline, it can often be 10 days before the next batch is delivered. (It is important that you get your order form into the pharmacy in enough time for them to process the order before the company deadline). The pharmacy will telephone you when your order is ready for collection. Fresh bread should have a use by date of approximately 5 days so that you can enjoy some of it before freezing. If the dates are consistently less than this, please let Fiona Headridge know. 01307-475228 fheadridge@nhs.net How long can I freeze fresh bread or rolls for? The products have all been tested for 1 month in the freezer. Manufacturers suggest that their products should not be stored for longer than 6 weeks. Make sure that you follow the manufacturer s instructions on how to store the product. I have a problem with the quality of one of the products I ordered? Please take the product back to your pharmacy who will arrange for it to be returned. If you are able to, please also contact the manufacturer they are grateful for feedback on their products (a list of manufacturers is available at the back of the Prescribable Gluten-Free Food List) the pharmacist will also be able to contact the manufacturer on your behalf. Tayside Gluten-Free Food Scheme, Patient Information Pack 7
What is the best way of trying different products? Many manufacturers will send out samples of their products if you contact them (a list of manufacturers is available at the back of the Prescribable Gluten-Free Food List). crossed grain magazine produced by Coeliac UK will often have details of new products. http://www.coeliac.org.uk - click on the link and follow Shop Publications Crossed Grain Magazine ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have any questions at any point you may contact one of the following people: Fiona Headridge, Specialist Dietetic Practitioner for Coeliac Disease (part-time), 01307-475228 (if I am not in the office, please leave a message and contact number and I will get back to you) fheadridge@nhs.net or visit the Tayside Nutrition website where you can read and download more information: or your local community pharmacist. Tayside Gluten-Free Food Scheme, Patient Information Pack 8