Plans for ‘frozen’ meals on wheels in Derry scrapped over concerns for OAPs

A proposal to deliver frozen meals on wheels to pensioners in Derry has been scrapped over concerns the move would lead to increased ‘social isolation’ amongst OAPs. Alan Corry-Finn, Executive Director of Nursing and Director of Primary Care Older Peoples Service with the Western Health Trust, told a meeting of the Trust a review into the Community Meals on Wheels Service had been undertaken to ensure the providers were delivering the ‘highest quality’ they could, at ‘the best cost’.

Mr Corry-Finn said that the Trust had held an event with those who provide the meals for the service, which included church groups, schools and community groups.

He added three options had been considered by the Trust as part of the reform, then first of which was to keep in place the current arrangements, where meals are delivered to old and vulnerable people to be ‘cooked fresh’.

The second option, he continued, was ‘cook chill’, where meals would be stored in fridges, while the third option was ‘cook frozen’, where meals would be delivered to clients 14 days in advance.

Mr Corry-Finn added although a final decision had yet to be made, the Trust had already ruled out the ‘cook frozen’ option, which he said they would ‘not be going forward with’.

He told the meeting that both the providers of the hot meals and the clients were ‘strongly against’ the frozen option as they agreed that the meals on wheels service allowed for ‘personal contact’ and also prevented ‘social isolation’.

Mrs Stella Cummings, Non-Executive Director with the Trust, said she was ‘delighted’ the cook frozen option was being abandoned, as the meals on wheels delivery would be the only person many of the clients would see for ‘two or three days’, adding that in many cases, the person delivering the meal would also bring the client a ‘bit of news or a magazine’.

She added if the cook frozen option was to go ahead, then the Trust would also have to ensure the clients had a freezer and a microwave with which to cook the meals.

Mr Corry-Finn said the matter will be brought back before the Trust board in October.