Following a successful trial with the NHS Trust in Bath, Parsley Box is launching Wellness Packs across the UK to help support older people leaving hospital and alleviate the current bed-blocking crisis in many hospitals.

The Edinburgh-based firm, which specialises in nutritious meals that can be safely stored in a cupboard for up to six months for the older generation across the UK, has created special food bundles to help older people to get back on their feet following hospital stays.

The packs provide nutritionally balanced meals that are easy to prepare including selections of traditional hearty meals, tastes of the world, and gluten free options. The packs give NHS hospital staff and carers confidence that patients will have access to quality food regularly once home.

Due to the success of last year’s pilot scheme with Bath NHS Trust, the older people’s charity Age UK and the local authority, Parsley Box will now offer these special food bundles across the UK. Various NHS boards and Trusts have already shown interest in the Parsley Box Wellness Packs, including NHS Grampian, NHS Highlands and NHS Glasgow.

It can be very difficult for people who have recently been unwell, or are experiencing mobility issues, to cook the nutritious feed they need to help their recovery, and not everyone has help available for every meal.

Kevin Dorren (pictured above), CEO at Parsley Box said: “The NHS is at crisis point, and we need to take a joined-up approach when considering how to free up hospital beds and get people safely back to the comfort of their own homes. Too often people stay in hospital longer than necessary due to concerns about being able to feed themselves at home when recuperating.

Our Wellness Packs provide much-needed reassurance for older people and their families. They empower our customers to easily make tasty, balanced meals within minutes, as they can be quickly heated in the microwave or oven.”

He added: “We know that it is vital for people to have a balanced diet full of different nutrients as they get older, especially if they are recovering from health issues. These packs have been specially prepared in UK kitchens, and contain high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. 

They also offer variety and are a great option for people to organise for their loved ones if they are not able to be with them for every meal. We are keen to work with more local authorities and NHS Trusts to ensure this option is available for anyone who needs it.”

Parsley Box uses an innovative slow cooking technology, inspired by the ‘sous-vide’ method when preparing its range of delicious ready meals, which ensures the flavour and nutrients are locked in without the need to chill or freeze. No unnecessary preservatives are used, and the food will then keep fresh for up to six months when stored in a cupboard.