DS-gluten free want to congratulate David Apps for his work on raising awareness of coeliac disease on Saturday 2nd July! As a member of the Sevenoaks Coeliac UK group, David contacted DS-gluten free to tell us all about the stand he was hosting with Morrisons in Cowborough.

Situated at the shop entrance, David and the other volunteers greeted shoppers with gluten free samples, including the DS-gluten free Brown and White Ciabatta Rolls, and other gluten free foods available in store. As well as giving shoppers the opportunity to sample gluten free foods the stand was also a place for people to gain information and advice on coeliac disease and following a gluten free diet. David and his team also wanted to petition against the PCT (primary care trust) restrictions in his local area.

Over the past few months PCT’s budget cutting policies have affected prescriptions of gluten free foods across the country. In the majority of areas PCTs are complying with Coeliac UK’s policy regarding cake mixes and sweet biscuits. Coeliac UK, along with other gluten free food manufactures, such as our sister brand Glutafin, believe that staple foods should be provided within a unit allowance. However, some PCTs have made further limitations. For more information please visit Coeliac UK’s official page on the subject.

David lives in an area which has been affected by the prescription cuts. "At the moment we are only allowed 8 items on prescription, covering a few brands and only long life gluten free bread and flour. It was great to meet so many people in the area that were diagnosed with coeliac disease and overall we collected over 200 signatures. As well as people that were already diagnosed with coeliac disease, we spoke to many people that felt they were effected by gluten in their diet. A lot of people were really grateful for our advice and, as always, before we suggested anyone exclude gluten from their diet we recommended people visit their GP first for further information."

David and the rest of the team on the Sevenoaks group plan to have another display in Morrisons next year. The event will take place during Coeliac Awareness Week so stay tuned nearer the time for more details! If you’d like to find out more about the local Coeliac UK group in your area you can visit the Coeliac UK website or call them on free phone 0845 305 2060.

If you, like David, have been affected by the PCT restrictions in your area please leave your comments below.



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