Whanganui Hospital's Meals on Wheels gets menu makeover

Meals on Wheels driver Dorothy Withers and nutritionist Emma Verhoek are behind the new menu.

Whanganui Hospital's Meals on Wheels menu has had a modern makeover which dieticians hope will appeal to people of all ages wanting to have their main meal of the day delivered.

Pesto chicken pasta, hoisin ginger pork and tandoori beef are some of the more interesting meals which now sit alongside traditional options such as crumbed fish and meatballs.

All meals can be delivered with vegetables and complimentary desserts for $6.70.

They can also be made to suit the client's taste and dietary requirements.

Spotless Services Ltd food service manager and clinical dietician Natasha Wilkes said the hospital's Meals on Wheels Service had come a long way in recent years.

"I'm proud of the fact that my team and I have been able to move with the times to provide a menu with wide appeal," Wilkes said.

"Contrary to what some may think, Meals on Wheels are designed for people of any age who need assistance to maintain their independence at home or people such as busy mothers struggling to eat a balanced diet as they juggle babies and toddlers."

Wilkes said the hospital's Meals on Wheels Service was grateful for the ongoing help it received from Age Concern which organises drivers.

"An added benefit is out-of-town family members knowing that their relation or close friend is being visited on a regular basis by a reliable person who will notice anything out of the ordinary about their client's condition or circumstances.

"We also have clients in much younger age groups whose family are gifting them meals to help them while they recover from an illness or through periods where they might be particularly busy and therefore in danger of not looking after themselves as well as they should be."

• People can arrange meal delivery by phoning 06 348 3106 or through being referred by GPs, social workers and a range of health professionals working for the DHB or out in the community.