Gluten free product prescribing. Headline survey results of supermarket voucher scheme midpoint review

Transcription

1 Gluten free product prescribing Headline survey results of supermarket voucher scheme midpoint review April 2016

2 Background Using views and detailed comments provided by members of the public at themed events in 2015, along with data that has been collated through the implementation of the local gluten free product prescribing policy, the CCG s Senior Management Team approved the development of a supermarket voucher scheme in the Vale of York. This scheme, which is the first of its kind in the UK will be trialled for six months. It has many advantages: patients will be able to choose how they spend their vouchers; patients will have a greater choices of staple gluten free foods; patients can obtain mixes as part of their monthly allowance; the scheme frees up GP and pharmacy clinical time. Supermarkets taking part in the trial are Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, the Co-op and Tullivers health food shop, an independent shop on Colliergate in York. The pilot began on 1 February After a six month trial and a review of its outcomes, the Senior Management Team will decide if the scheme it to be formally implemented or whether an alternative option should be considered. Patient and public involvement We asked for 100 people with coeliac disease who live in the Vale of York to take part in the pilot. 117 people requested to be involved. These patients received vouchers to redeem against gluten free products in four retailers Marks and Spencer (n60), Morrisons (n48), Coop (n5), Tullivers (n4). Survey completion 68% (n80) patients completed and returned the survey. M&S 72% (n43), Morrisons 63% (n31), Coop 60% (n3), Tullivers 75% (n3). 57% of respondents (n45) stated that prior to the pilot they received GFF on prescription. 84% of respondents (n67) spent their vouchers as and when needed. 4% (n3) spent all of their vouchers at once.

3 Patient feedback Headline themes Overwhelming positive feedback about the scheme 80% (n41) Better than getting prescriptions Really like the ranges within current retailers More convenient Better than taste and supply of food on prescription Requesting the scheme being extended to other supermarkets Verbatim comments Like the idea off flexible usage Can be used on non-essential items, i.e. cake etc. I enjoy being able to buy my gluten free foods fresh and not having to rely on frozen bread. Brilliant Very good I love it, it has everything I want and need. I wish I could use it all the time Great Excellent Much better way of getting gluten free products, hope the pilot was successful and will continue I am enjoying the range of products available on the voucher scheme, certainly not as limiting as GP service. So far the scheme seems very good and is much easier, less time consuming than prescription method. I am so happy with this scheme it is a lot better having the vouchers to use as and when you want. The bread on prescription is not very nice and I have a freezer full.with it not being very nice I have never used much of it so now I can get nice bread from M&S.I am so thrilled with the vouchers and hope they continue at the end of the day food is my medication!!!! I've enjoyed taking part in the scheme and would be happy to again of the option arose I think the vouchers are a great idea Brilliant system. Much better idea than prescription. Far better choice and quality. Hope this takes off. Can shop when convenient and don't have to freeze a number of loaves of bread all at once. It has been a great pilot scheme let s hope we can take part in any future schemes x2

4 Would definitely prefer this over prescription. Did not take up the prescription offer as it seemed a hassle and meant a lot of going to and from the doctors to request in person. This way you can choose what you want and do not have as many restrictions. The scheme is very good; I find it nice to pick what you would like each week instead of receiving the same food on prescription each month. It s been absolutely MARVELLOUS to have choice, to be able to get fresh bread, as and when i need it, in the quantities i need - no freezing, or mouldy bread or waste! FANTASTIC - THANK YOU I think one should be able to use a voucher at any supermarket in the system "Only if the voucher system continues can I change to Morrison's. Also can I thank you for these voucher's is very kind of you." Hope other supermarkets will join if this venture continues e.g. Sainburys "Design of voucher could be contentious - other customers in queue at supermarket pointing and judging. Well done to the Vale of York for trialling this. It saves me time and effort and must lie for financial benefit to the NHS. PLEASE KEEP IT GOING." If the trial is adopted it would be good if the vouchers could be exchanged at other stores, say Tesco Generally good. The thing is that it's a shame the vouchers couldn't be used across all of the stores, as I have to make a special trip to visit Morrisons. Also, if I was to buy all of my GF staples using the vouchers only I would not have enough. I usually use 3-4 packets of bread rolls a week. (There are 4 rolls per pack.) So, for me, 14 per month would not cover my bread purchases. Fantastic. Much better than when on prescription. It would be good if the scheme could continue it has been a great help as gluten free products are always so much more expensive than the equivalent non gluten free products Much better for us as have difficulty in freezing 12 loaf of bread For me it is an excellent way of getting my bread etc. I can vary the type of bread rolls, flour without having to order a batch of the same Much prefer having vouchers to prescriptions through the Drs/chemist. As I mainly ordered bread, the chemist were very good and txt me when it came in but if I wasn't around then there would be a delay and it goes stale very quickly. Also the (brand name) bread in the supermarkets is of a better quality and taste than that on prescription. Also I can use my vouchers on other products which you can't with prescription i.e. porridge, wraps etc. gives more variation to diet hence easier to stick to G/F diet. Love this scheme it gives celiac people note choice and the chance to be the same as everyone else. The scheme is working well We are very happy with the voucher scheme. The children can choose the bread they like and don't have to stick to the same one each week. It s great to be able to get cereal also as we were unable to get these on prescription.

5 Everything is fine at the moment I didn't use the supermarket before and so the scheme is encouraging me to go. In general I have found the scheme to be very positive I am genuinely feeling better due to the fact that I am eating a better selection of food. I use the vouchers for my own choice of bread, (brand name) cereal and pasta but because there is a wide selection in Morrisons and the vouchers are covering my basics, I am buying different types of food myself and am enjoying the selection. My diet is more varied and I genuinely feel better, am eating better and have more energy Hope that this type of research can be funded in future in other with other Health Authorities as it has been so helpful when on a low income. Thank you I would like to see the vouchers usable in all supermarkets I am hoping Tesco join the scheme before the next trial period, as I like their own brand of Bread. Very helpful to have vouchers as i notice the cost helps Other comments Headline themes Overall total of the vouchers given not enough Look of the vouchers Denominations of the vouchers Verbatim comments The vouchers only allow you to spend roughly 3 per week over 6 months. Is the value of the voucher commensurate with 16 units a month? Good idea but not enough vouchers, only amounts to 3 a week. If I choose one supermarket does that in affect restrict my choice? As I am so used to (brand name) bread from my pharmacy, and I get a box of 8 loaves at one time, I am a bit apprehensive about it all,especially as I can drive myself at the moment, not sure what happens when I am not so mobile etc. The voucher system would only allow us to buy 1 sliced loaf a week! That s not even 1 slice of bread a day. Unless the amount went up by a huge amount don't think it is beneficial to come off prescription. I would urge that the solution should protect access to GF for children. This might mean denying adults (e.g. buy your own GF food) but dispense vouchers to children, which could be controlled through the child benefit system. Confirmed coeliac + child benefit qualifies for vouchers. This way, children who need nourishment will not be denied through the affordability of this relatively expensive food. Personally I don't like the physical appearance of the voucher. Too big and bold, have heard a comment about people getting freebies on the NHS - when I was holding up the queue when there were problems at the till.

6 The only slight irritation is if I buy something that does not come to the full amount of the voucher I lose the change. This happens if things are not a round figure i.e using a 3.00 voucher Yes. Loaf of bread is now 2 if that is all i require, 3 vouchers not useful. Size of vouchers v comments by staff. I was under the impression that each supermarket would produce their own mix like (brand name) and (brand name) but this does not appear to have happened. It would be better if we could use the vouches in any supermarket. Other information The pilot scheme is being closely monitored by NHS England, the Department of Health, other CCGs and Welsh Health Boards. Coeliac UK is promoting the scheme. As the scheme progresses, most patients have indicated that they want the voucher scheme to stay. Other national retailers have now come forward to take part in the scheme and the CCG is in discussion with them.