Meal delivery service for elderly scrapped with fortnight notice

Customers of the Apetito Meals and Wheels service were given just two weeks notice to make alternative arrangements, however with no like-for-like service available.
Apetitio took on the contract after West Berkshire Council cut £92,000 of its funding in 2012, a decision which sparked concerns on the likely impact on the district’s elderly and vulnerable residents.
An employee at its Thatcham depot contacted the Newbury Weekly News at the time said: “In some cases we are the first people the elderly people see.
“In 90 per cent of cases they live alone and we are the first point of contact.
“Sometimes our drivers have found people ill or dead in their homes. We are concerned about a lot of the residents we deliver to.”
Apetito said this week that the service is no longer viable to run, prompting further concerns on the welfare on elderly residents from relatives.
One person, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I am appalled and disgusted by the treatment of elderly and vulnerable people.
“I know people who receive this service and know that trying to cook a hot meal, beans on toast, soup or microwave meal would be too much for them.
“Some with no family or friends would have no access to meals from a supermarket even if they could heat it themselves.
“This service is unique and greatly valued by the customers. They need at least one hot meal a day, they get to see a face 365 days a year, and it is an important daily check that the customers are not in need of medical assistance.”
A relative of another customer added: “This will leave vulnerable people without any way of getting food - in our case, a 94-year-old with some health issues who is living alone but can’t shop or cook.
“This seems likely to push more people into hospital or residential care.”
Responding to questions by the Newbury Weekly News, Apetito chief executive Paul Freeston said: “We have worked hard to maintain our provision despite the cuts through a private hot meal initiative. However, due to reduced numbers and increased operational costs, it is with deep regret that this service is no longer financially viable.
“There have not been any redundancies as a result due to the increase in demand for the service in Hampshire, which is partly serviced by the Newbury depot.”
Apetito has advised customers to contact Wiltshire Farm Foods, which offers a frozen meal home delivery service.
West Berkshire Council failed to respond to questions on whether it would consider subsidising a similar scheme and whether it had considered the impact of increased costs of residential care as a result.
For more information on the Wiltshire Farm Foods service, call 0800 773773 or visit www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com
Have you or someone you know been affected by the cut of the Meals on Wheels service? Let reporter Ellis Barker know by emailing ellis.barker@newburynews.co.uk