Treatment of elderly lady by Meals on Wheels employee criticised by local politicians

Local politicians have criticised the treatment of an elderly lady by a Meals on Wheels employee.

Described on Caerphilly County Borough Council’s website as a “friendly team”, the Meals on Wheels service has recently received significant backlash due to a viral video showing a grandmother being refused a drink.

Wayne David, MP for Caerphilly, has called for the council to provide Llanbradach resident Jane McTighe with a comprehensive care package.

The Labour MP said: “I thought the action was deplorable and I have written to the chief executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council stating that I was extremely concerned that there wasn’t a comprehensive care package in place for the elderly lady.

“It’s clearly not the standard of care which the council should be providing.”

Mrs McTighe previously had up to four carer visits a day, before the council’s social services department conducted an assessment, and reduced it to two and then to just a Meals on Wheels visit.

Mr David added: “What was reprehensible was the language used by the supervisor. No person should be using those terms during their work, there was a lack of professionalism displayed.”

Chief executive of the council, Mrs Harrhy, described the behaviour as “completely unacceptable” and has apologised to Mrs McTighe for the distress caused.

Llanbradach councillor Colin Mann said: “It’s obviously well below the standard of services we would expect. It’s a bit sad that people who are supposed to be looking after others are acting in this way.

“I don’t know the full circumstances, I would like to think this is an exception. I believe that the vast majority of people that do the job do a good job, due to the feedback we normally get. But, even one case like this is one too many.”

Following the incident, the council has highlighted the difference between a social services carer and a Meals on Wheels worker.

So, what is Meals on Wheels?

Meals on Wheels, or to use its official name Meals Direct, is a council service which provides hot and frozen meals and sandwiches to 198 residents in the county borough.

These are delivered by 16 employees via a fleet of purpose-built vans between 11am and 2pm, Monday to Friday.

Anyone can access the service with a hot meal and dessert delivered for £5.78. For people who cannot cook for themselves and do not have access to anyone who can provide meals, a cheaper subsidised service is available after an assessment by social services. For a hot meal and dessert, the subsidised price is £3.43.

A council spokesperson said: “It is important to differentiate the role and responsibilities of Meals Direct staff compared to those of social care staff.

“The Meals Direct remit is only to provide a two-course hot meal Monday to Friday, the service does not have any remit to cover any aspects of care.

“The council’s social services team are responsible for agreeing appropriate care packages for vulnerable residents and have dedicated social care staff who deliver these within the community.”