PENSIONERS would be unduly affected if health bosses press ahead with budget-cutting plans.

That is the view of Tottington woman Susan Cullen, who suffers from coeliac disease disease and said she believes scrapping prescriptions of bread and other foods would hit people in the pocket.

In August, Bury Clinical Commissioning group limited the amount of gluten-free food people can be prescribed and it is considering getting rid of those prescriptions altogether next year.

That would save £79,000 a year, but critics claim it could cost them more in the long run.

Coeliac disease is a serious illness that affects the immune system and one in 100 people suffer from it.

One of them is Mrs Cullen, aged 59, of Woodstrock Drive, who said people might end up in hospital as a result of the change, especially pensioners.

She said: "If we don't have gluten-free food, it’s leaving us in a vulnerable way, especially the elderly as they won't stick to a gluten-free diet and it could lead to bad health consequences.

"When I was first diagnosed ten years ago I was horrified. I suffered from severe abdominal pain. It wasn't the kind of pain you could just take a painkiller for.

"If I didn't stick to a gluten-free diet. I would be extremely ill. It is a serious, lifetime thing."

She added: "At Tesco, a small loaf of gluten-free bread costs £3 and bagels are well over £2.

"It's not something I can really afford, but it would be particularly hard for pensioners.

"It's hard for them to get out to the supermarket to buy it."

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of the Coeliac UK charity, said: "The provision of gluten-free staple food on prescription is a vital element of the support offered to these patients by the NHS and it is essential to prevent long term damage to health."

The CCG is consulting on the plans and has so far held two focus-group meetings with other coeliac disease disease sufferers.

More than 100 people have filled out a survey and scores more have written letters.

The consultation deadline is on December 6.

You can take part by calling 0161 762 3106, by emailing buccg.communications@nhs.net or online at surveymonkey.com/r/GFFoods