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Hyperlocal-backed campaign forces NHS milk U-turn

Baby-formula-e1485529635851A campaign backed by a hyperlocal news website has resulted in an NHS U-turn over plans to stop the prescription of formula milk to allergic babies.

HTFP previously reported how Inside Croydon had been campaigning to reverse the decision by the NHS Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group to withdraw prescriptions for formula feed in a bid to save cash.

The campaign followed a column by reader Kirstie Smith about her experiences with two children who are allergic to cow’s milk, and was subsequently picked up by the national press.

Now the CCG has confirmed in a letter to Gavin Barwell, the Conservative MP for Croydon Central, that the ban has been lifted for babies up to the age of 12 months who suffer from cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA).

Editor Steven Downes said: “Suffice to say, we are delighted to have played a part in helping to bring this important issue to the attention of tens of thousands of people and having a really positive impact on local health policy for many families and their children.”

The letter to Mr Barwell reads: ““Following careful consideration of feedback received and from ongoing discussions with relevant clinicians, the CCG will continue to prescribe specialist milks for babies who have been diagnosed with CMPA up to the age of 12 months.

“This will be part of a locally agreed treatment pathway the CCG are currently finalising for diagnosis and treatment of CMPA.”