A MOVE to cut NHS services to save money has been branded “unethical and appalling” by a charity.

NHS Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group is holding a consultation event about its plans to cut funding for services including fertility and weight loss surgery.

The news has angered charity Fertility Fairness, which campaigns for people to have comprehensive and equal access to fertility treatments.

It’s co-chairman Susan Seenan said: “Fertility Fairness is appalled at what the CCG is proposing.

“You cannot tell patients they will receive treatment and then remove their chance of having a baby from them. To do so is unethical and distressing in the extreme.

“The CCG’s lack of clarity about its plans for NHS fertility services shows a complete disregard for its fertility patients.

“This is an appalling way to handle a public consultation.

“Threatening to move the goalposts for patients who are already receiving treatment is cruel.”

Charity Coeliac UK is also strongly opposing the proposed cuts to gluten-free prescriptions for patients in the region diagnosed with coeliac disease.

The charity is concerned the cuts will leave vulnerable patients with coeliac disease without support which will affect their ability to stick to the gluten-free diet.

According to the charity, the potential serious long-term health complications include osteoporosis, infertility and, in some rare cases, small bowel cancer, which could cost the NHS more in the long term.

It also says that gram for gram, gluten-free bread is six times more expensive than regular gluten containing bread in the supermarket.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK, said: “The proposal is being based on budgets rather than patient need or clinical evidence.

“The provision of gluten-free staple food on prescription is a vital element of the support offered to all patients by the NHS and it is essential to prevent long term damage to health.

“Simple switching to alternative carbs such as rice and potatoes risks malnutrition with bread alone providing between 10 and 20 per cent of our most important nutrients such as protein, calcium and iron but potatoes and rice only providing a fraction of this.”