CLIENTS of Orchard Place rehabilitation unit met health chiefs last Friday to question proposals to withdraw their hot meals.

The suggestion to reduce food provision was made as part of Worcestershire Community and Mental NHS Trust plans to review its catering policy in its mental health day services.

But clients at the Smallwood unit believe many of them will suffer if the canteen closes and hot meals are withdrawn in favour of sandwiches.

Many of the clients come to the unit to do a day's work. Because of their mental conditions, they are unable to work full-time and are given a free hot meal as part of their payment.

Many are also required to eat a full meal before they take their medication.

A spokesman for the unit said: "Clients had the chance to ask some quite probing questions at the meeting.

"One elderly male client asked trust representatives if they had family or friends who could cook for them.

"They answered that they did and he pointed out that many clients didn't have someone who could do this and were unable to cook for themselves.

"They all tried to stress how important this provision of hot food is for them and how much they rely on it.

"At the moment, this is still a proposal. If it is agreed, it will be implemented from the end of next month."

A Redditch Community Health Council spokesman said they were disappointed there had been no consultation with them about the proposal and hoped for more detailed discussion before a decision was made.