Supermarkets Turn To The NHS For Advice On Who Needs Food The Most

Supermarkets will use NHS records to identify those most at risk from the coronavirus and offer them priority for home deliveries.

- Jon Coates

Stores have been overwhelmed by online orders since the start of the pandemic, leaving vulnerable people who are self-isolating with the nightmare scenario of running out of food.

With delivery slots booked up for several weeks, retailers are now trying to find the best way of helping those most in need.

But there are still concerns that not all of the most vulnerable will be reached in time.

Norman Phillips, 68, who is a carer for both his wife and his 91-year-old mother, who both have dementia, had to queue to shop in a supermarket because he could not get a home delivery slot.

On top of that, he is not old enough for the over-70s only hour. Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Asda have now said they will use NHS data released on Friday to identify the 1.5 million most at risk of serious illness or death from the coronavirus to offer them priority for deliveries.

Tesco and Iceland have taken a different approach, urging the young and healthy to shop in stores to free up delivery slots for those self-isolating.

Tesco boss Dave Lewis said: “It’s difficult to get a delivery slot for online shopping. We’re doing everything we can to create more slots, but we’re at full capacity for the next few weeks.

“If you can come safely to stores, please do. Every online slot we free up will help those most vulnerable and those who are self-isolating. It could save lives.”