Vulnerable people face hunger and malnutrition warns Salvation Army as part of charity coalition

Letter to Government warns hunger could trigger spike in avoidable hospital admissions

The Salvation Army has joined with dozens of charities in calling on the Government to help the over 70s, disabled people, unpaid carers, and vulnerable people get food as many are struggling to get delivery slots or are being stopped from entering supermarkets with their carers due to social distancing rules. The charities fear the lack of support could see a spike in avoidable hospital admissions stemming from hunger and malnutrition.

While many clinically extremely vulnerable people have received letters telling them to shield and so receive priority for food delivery, many with disabilities or other vulnerabilities are still at high risk of becoming seriously unwell with coronavirus and are struggling to get food delivered.

Others who find food shopping challenging in normal circumstances due to sensory and physical impairments, or mental health issues, are also finding the lockdown is making it more difficult than ever for them to get food.  

So no one goes hungry and to avoid the NHS facing avoidable additional hospital admissions, the letter to Rt Hon. George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, signed by The Salvation Army and 23 other charities, includes calls for the Government to ensure:

• Supermarkets help everyone with a disability, those at increased risk from coronavirus, and unpaid carers get priority access to supermarkets and home food delivery.
• The Government work with charities like The Salvation Army so that no one misses out on the support they need to access food.
• The Government clearly outline the help available for people struggling to get food supplies.