Scrapping Meals on Wheels won’t save Redbridge any money

EXCLUSIVE
Redbridge Council is scrapping Meals on Wheels from Tuesday but we can reveal that it won’t be saving any money by doing so – even though rising costs were the justification for the decision. A Freedom of Information application has revealed no money will be saved, because the costs were covered by the people who received the meals.

Wansteadium reader Barry, whose mother has been receiving meals, applied for the information and received the following statement:

Earlier this month we reported that the scheme was being axed on cost grounds, and that recipients had been sent a leaflet about their future options, which amounted to private providers, internet shopping or lunch clubs.

The justification for stopping the service was explicitly that the council could no longer afford to provide the service. A statement still available on the council website says:

We looked at many different ways to continue the service but the decision was taken that we would no longer be able to afford to provide the community meals service.

So Redbridge could do with answering some questions, in particular:

  1. How many residents were receiving Meals on Wheels up until the end of July 2017? What was the result of the individual assessments which Redbridge promised, and what alternative provision is being made for those residents?
  2. What is the cost of any alternative provision?
  3. At what point was it known that Redbridge would not actually be saving any money by stopping the scheme?
  4. Now that it is known that no money will be saved by scrapping Meals on Wheels will Redbridge reconsider its decision?

If anyone in the council is reading and wants to respond, we will print the answers in full. Just email us at info@wansteadium.com

 

 

5 thoughts on “Scrapping Meals on Wheels won’t save Redbridge any money”

  2. After scrapping Meals on Wheels, Redbridge Council are obliged to supply carers who will microwave replacement dinners for eligible pensioners. Reline Care ( used for this purpose by Redbridge Council ) charge £13.80 / hour. They allow 30 minutes per client.
    A truly baffling decision.

    1. The removal of meals on wheels is part of an overall strategy by the Council to make the elderly feel unwelcome and uncomfortable in Redbridge so that they leave the Borough so that the Council spends less money on services for the elderly and puts more money into vote winning projects such as swimming pools

  3. More recognition and support is required for care assistants who provide meals etc 24/7 at home without respite care assistance. It’s not a 9 to 5 job for part timers.

  4. This is appalling, I have been on the phone with them several times in the past and find that they do yield under enough pressure.

    Someone setup up a group email so we can get this sorted?????????

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