Wales debit card to pay for gluten free food in shops

Lola Mayor and Jordan Davis

BBC Wells News

Cherylee Barker has used preloaded cash cards for about six years and says they help with high cost of gluten-free foods, but do not cover the full cost

The BBC Cherli Barker smiles on the camera. He stands in a cafe that does shelves and chocolate bar in the background, — Cherylee Barker has used preloaded cash cards for about six years and says they help with high cost of gluten-free foods, but do not cover the full cost

People who cannot eat gluten in Wales will be given debit-style cards with money to help pay for their food.

The UK -first move, which begins at the end of this year, will be an alternative to the current system, where conditions such as celiac disease – which affect one in 100 people – get food on a prescription from the pharmacy.

Narbarth, 54 -year -old Celuch Cherli Barker of Pambrookshire participated in a pilot scheme and received £ 14 in a month, which he said “scratches the cost surface”.

A celiac UK report states A gluten -free diet added 35% to food bills And Health Minister Jeremy Miles said that the Welsh government wanted to “de-medical” to the supply of gluten-free foods “.

The new card will act like a chip and pin bank card and according to the Welsh government, will be taken to most places selling gluten-free food including supermarkets, shops, community pharmacies and online stores.

It will not say how much people will be given – just that it will vary by the person and will be reviewed regularly – or how much will be spent on the plan.

The ministers estimate that this “cost will be neutral” and no one else will add to the NHS budget.

The prescription model will still be available in Wales, which is similar to plans in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

With those people Coeliac disease Gluten cannot eat because their immune system attacks its own tissues and cannot take their body properly in nutrients.

This is the result of symptoms including blotting, vomiting and diarrhea.

There is also an additional cost. More expensive Tesco, Asda, Sensbury and Morrison, four major supermarkets with gluten free food.

Compared to £ 2.26 for the gluten-free counterpart, the average price of its brand pav roti of bread was 63p.

Supermarket pen pasta did an average of 56p per 500g, while the lowest gluten-free option was £ 1.22.

Ms. Barker has been part of the pilot scheme in the Highwell DDA Health Board area for the last five years.

He gets £ 42 every three months, which is equal to £ 14 per month, and describes the previous prescription system as a “slightly embarrassing” and food “not that food”.

She said: “I did not want to take money from NHS. I thought ‘Just suck it and look’ but after a while I found it being more and more expensive.

“This is not a lifestyle alternative, it is a need.”

Despite saying that the card was “luxurious”, he said that the amount she received was only “scratching the surface” rising costs for everyone, especially Koeliax.

Bethan Williams says that “budget for bread” can be harmful to people’s health

Bethan Williams smile on camera. She is sitting in her front room and has a lamp in the background — Bethan Williams says that “budget for bread” can be harmful to people’s health

Cardiff’s 24 -year -old Bethan Williams said that prescriptions did not work for him as food was less quality.

As a vegetarian, he said that cash cards can give freedom to people with additional diets to make healthy options.

“I am in a good position that I can tolerate high quality bread, but not for all people,” she said.

“Eating food and being able to eat a balanced diet is not a privilege, it is something that everyone should be entitled.”

Jemma Bir from Plumavaneela Cafe says that businesses need to support high cost communities

Jemma smiles on camera. He is wearing a denim apron and stands in front of the shelves filled with gluten and grain — Jemma Bir from Plumavaneela Cafe says that businesses need to support high cost communities

For businesses such as plumvaneela cafes and daily in Narberth, which accepts the cash card, ensure that they can meet the needs of the community.

Jemma Bire, who works in the cafe, said: “We have seen more and more people shopping with gluten-free requirements, so we like to have a big stock.”

But he said it was a challenge that stocking shelves with high cost items and ensuring that nothing is useless.

Miles said the move would cut “administrative burden on GPS and pharmacies”.

He said: “For people living with celiac disease, following a strict gluten -free diet is not a lifestyle, but a medical requirement.

“We want to de-medical the supply of gluten-free foods in Wales, which gives people more freedom to reach the food that they want to eat, more easily, to help them manage their situation.”

Celiac UK Triston Humphries said: “We need to identify that a gluten-free diet is a treatment for celiac disease, it is a serious autoimmune disease that is not a lifestyle choice-we want we want to be recognized.”

He said that supporting people’s diets would help prevent health complications below the line and was “cost efficient” for NHS and other UK countries were called to follow the suit.

Additional reporting by all dafydd