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South Eastern Health Trust to drop 'meals on wheels' daily service South Eastern Health Trust to drop 'meals on wheels' daily service
(about 1 hour later)
A plan by a health trust to halt daily delivery of meals to older people at home has been criticised by the SDLP's health spokesman.A plan by a health trust to halt daily delivery of meals to older people at home has been criticised by the SDLP's health spokesman.
Fearghal McKinney said he understood that the South Eastern Health Trust would instead deliver 14 frozen meals every two weeks because of cutbacks. Fearghal McKinney said he understood that the South Eastern Health Trust would instead deliver 14 frozen meals every two weeks, because of cutbacks.
Eligible people currently receive meals daily and usually around lunchtime.
The trust said people would continue to receive a nutritious meal and would benefit from a wider choice of options.The trust said people would continue to receive a nutritious meal and would benefit from a wider choice of options.
Mr McKinney said the plan would reduce older people's contact with carers. The Southern Health Trust has already withdrawn its daily meal deliveries.
"They are the eyes and ears, a safety check if you like, to report on the changing health needs of older homebound adults," he told the assembly. 'Safety check'
Currently, the Southern Health Trust is the only one of Northern Ireland's five health trusts that does not deliver chilled but freshly cooked meals to older people in their own homes on a daily basis, in what is known as a community meals service.
The Northern Health Trust still provides a daily delivery service but there have been very few new referrals for several years.
Mr McKinney said the South Eastern Health Trust's plans to stop daily deliveries would reduce older people's contact with carers.
"They are the eyes and ears, a safety check if you like, to report on the changing health needs of older homebound adults," he told the Northern Ireland Assembly.
He said while the current Transforming Your Care health review plans were aimed at "provision in the community to keep people out of hospital", the trust's actions "may put them in hospital in a weakened state".He said while the current Transforming Your Care health review plans were aimed at "provision in the community to keep people out of hospital", the trust's actions "may put them in hospital in a weakened state".
'Value for money'
According to recent figures, 405 people in the South Eastern Trust area were receiving a "meals on wheels" service in March 2013.According to recent figures, 405 people in the South Eastern Trust area were receiving a "meals on wheels" service in March 2013.
Eligible people currently receive meals daily and usually around lunchtime.
The trust said in a statement that the frozen meals were "carefully specified by experienced trust staff" and were "in line with strict dietetic guidance".The trust said in a statement that the frozen meals were "carefully specified by experienced trust staff" and were "in line with strict dietetic guidance".
"Clients will continue to receive a nutritious meal and will benefit from a wider choice of options, conveniently delivered to their home," the spokesperson said."Clients will continue to receive a nutritious meal and will benefit from a wider choice of options, conveniently delivered to their home," the spokesperson said.
"This approach ensures improved value for money and sustainability without compromising on the quality and choice of meals available for clients.""This approach ensures improved value for money and sustainability without compromising on the quality and choice of meals available for clients."