Many prescriptions for minor conditions will not be available on the NHS in Kingston, after the health bosses made a decision to stop supporting them.

Common painkillers, cough medicines, antihistamines for hayfever and lozenges for illnesses such as cold and flu are all affected, as well as other minor illnesses.

The aim is to promote self-care, and make the public aware that they can treat themselves with, often cheaper, over-the-counter-medication, as well as to save an estimated £100,000 a year.

This does not affect prescriptions for long-term illnesses, even if they are for common, easily available painkillers.

Prescriptions for gluten-free food will also no longer be supported, and the Clinical Commissioning Group - whose governing body made the decision - says it will provide diet advice for patients that does not include substitute foods, saving £46,000 a year.

Routine prescriptions of Vitamin D (cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol) will also be cut, except for people who are deficient and are displaying symptoms, or patients who have had at least two courses of supplements in the past and are at risk of further deficiency.

Proposals to cut milk and specialist formulas for babies were also considered, but the Governing Body decided this was complicated enough to seek to develop guidelines with experts, including Allergy UK, to discuss at a later date.

This was part of the CCG’s ‘Choosing Wisely’ consultation, which ran from April until July, with an unexpected break for the General Election.

Also in the consultation were proposals to stop funding IVF and specialised fertility services for either everyone except people who are infertile as a result of cancer treatment or to prevent the transmission of chronic viral infections, or to stop funding the services for everyone, including cancer survivors.

The CCG decided to also consider whether to align the criteria with Richmond, which recently WHAT, or to base its services on recommendations from the Assisted Conception Unit at Kingston Hospital, delaying the decision until at least the next meeting in November.

Choosing Wisely also contained a proposal to delay surgery referrals for people with high BMI and smokers, until they lose weight or have been given help to quit smoking.

This was not discussed at the meeting on September 6, while the CCG waits for national movement on the issue.