ITEMS including some specialist baby milks and gluten-free foods will no longer be free on prescription in Worcestershire from this week.

Cuts will see parents no longer being given certain soya milks, thickened infant formulas, formulas for lactose intolerance or all ready-to-use infant formulas.

The prescription of treatments and medicines for short-term minor conditions will be restricted as will the prescription of oral vitamins and minerals.

The decision was made by the three Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), who are responsible for buying healthcare services for Worcestershire residents, in July.

Patients affected by the new commissioning polices will now be advised to purchase items from a pharmacy, supermarket, health food store or online.

Mari Gay, chief operating officer, said: “We are very grateful to the many people who shared their views and gave feedback on the proposals.

"After considering feedback from local people, national campaign groups and a review of clinical guidance we have decided to stop routinely funding certain medicines, treatments, products and food items on prescription.

"These items will be readily available in local supermarkets, pharmacies and health food stores.

"We are aware of the concern this may cause some people and this has been a very difficult decision to make.

"However, given the financial challenge that we face in Worcestershire we need to take action now so that we can continue to protect other NHS services in the future."

The decision followed a ten week public engagement exercise which ran from March 17 to May 30 last year and a five week public engagement exercise which ran from March until April.

Examples of the milk no longer being prescribed include; Wysoy®, SMA LF ®, Cow& Gate® Anti-reflux, Aptamil® Anti-reflux, SMA Staydown®, Aptamil Comfort, Cow and Gate Comfort, SMA Comfort.

Infant feeds still available on prescription include; Aptamil Pepti 1 and 2®, Nutramigen 1and 2 with LGG®.

For more information around the changes in policy, visit www.worcestershire.nhs.uk/prescribing.