COELIAC DISEASE: AWARENESS AND DIAGNOSIS

That this House recognises that people with coeliac disease, for whom the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life, are often misdiagnosed and can be undiagnosed for a very long period of time; notes that the average length of time to diagnosis from the onset of symptoms is a staggering 13 years, often resulting in long-term damage to patients when a simple blood test would have started the diagnostic process off; further notes that more should be done to encourage healthcare professionals at all levels, including pharmacists, who are often the first point of advice for patients, to educate themselves to recognise the symptoms of the disease and so ensure faster diagnosis for those who suffer; and calls on the Government to take steps towards reducing the time to diagnosis by 25 per cent over the next three years.