Gluten free Food Service

Gluten-free Food Service

Gluten free.jpg

Click here for NHS NSS website section. 

Adult and paediatric patients with a confirmed diagnosis of either Coeliac Disease (CD) or Dermatitis Herpetiformis can access the Tayside GFFS. This is part of the National initiative introduced by Scottish Government. More information regarding the service specification and remuneration are available from NHS Circular PCA(P)(2013)29.

This was updated in 2015 when the service became a permanent part of Additional Pharmaceutical Services NHS Circular PCA(P)(2015)24.

A circular is usually produced every year in September giving an update to the National gluten free formulary.

The most recent NHS Circular PCA(P)(2020)18 outlines the products available nationally.

The Tayside list has been developed to provide local best value and should be used when dispensing gluten free foods in Tayside. Not all foods available on the National Formulary will be available in Tayside.

The Tayside GFFS allows patients to self-manage their gluten free prescription with the help of community pharmacy rather than General Practice. Once  diagnosed, new patients will be identified and informed of the new National Gluten-Free Food (GFF) Service by their Dietitian. The Dietitian will also provide new patients with the Patient Registration Form.

Unlike some other parts of Scotland it is dietitians and not GPs who give out the registration forms. If a form is received from anyone other than a dietitian can you inform the dietetic coeliac service (see below).

  • A Tayside Patient Information Leaflet (for new patients) and Product Information are available.
  • Tayside Prescribable Gluten-Free Food List (Patient Formulary). To help Pharmacists ensure they order with no out of pocket expenses we have created a Pharmacy-Dietetic specific Gluten-Free Food List (Pharmacy Dietetic Formulary).
  • Patients are required to complete a Tayside Gluten-Free Food Requirement Order Form with their choices up to their maximum allocated units. This needs to be retained in the pharmacy for 12 months.
  • *Within Tayside, patients have access to an on-line order system - www.scotlandglutenfree.org.uk/. It uses the Tayside Food list and once their order is created it can be printed off or if the community pharmacy allows, can be emailed. To access the service patients need to have their pharmacy post code. Information on using the on-line system within community pharmacy can be found in the document below (Information on the New Scottish Gluten-free Food Service for Community Pharmacy).
  • *Unlike the rest of Scotland, patients in care homes can access the Tayside GFFS.
  • *Pharmacies are required to inform the dietetic coeliac service of when a new patient registers with them. This can be done by returning the second page of the registration form by mail or by emailing the address below.
  • Each patient presenting with a Patient Registration Form requires the Community Pharmacist to complete a Patient Care Record (PCR). A Pharmacy Annual Coeliac Disease Health Check needs to be carried out for CD patients aged 16 years and older and who have completed their follow up with the dietetic coeliac service after diagnosis. This would normally be approximately 24 months after diagnosis and commencement on the GFFS. The Health Check is contained in the PCR gluten-free tool.
  • Patients who wish to change pharmacy should have a change of pharmacy form completed by their 'new' pharmacy so The that a new registration form can be issued, previous pharmacy informed and Tayside Coeliac data base updated. 

NB - *Note that there are variations in Tayside from the Scottish Service.

Patients transferring into Tayside from other Health Boards will need a registration form completed before they can start using the GFFS. Please contact the dietetic coeliac service.

Further resources

Documents