Hospital appointments

[Mum233]

I know that the staff are working so so hard and this is not an NHS staff bashing post.

I have unfortunately needed to go to hospital appointments throughout the pandemic. Local hospital has been amazing through this time. Felt really safe etc.

Today I have another appointment there and they have just started a new system where you need a mobile device to check in for your appointment. You then wait outside on the grounds / in your car and they text you to come in when there doctor is ready.
It’s chaos! The car park and surrounding roads are full as people have to wait and are waiting in their cars. Everyone else is outside including some older ladies who are sat in the boiling sun as there’s no shade.

AIBU to think this is a massively unfair system for a) those who don’t have a mobile (the only choice is to do this by mobile or to use someone else’s device.
B) for those that can’t sit in the strong sun for hours on end?

Seems like an odd system?

Sounds like they need reminding of the public sector equality duty.

That policy will prevent people from accessing medical care.

I’m lucky in that I have a mobile but I do unfortunately have a disability and I’m roasting sat here!

We got the message about an app like this for Ds but it said you could check in the normal way if you didn’t have it which makes more sense.

This is ridiculous and IMO completely unnecessary.
Hospital appointments have worked perfectly well throughout the last year without the need to use personal technology. I agree there will be lots of people who will not be able to use it. You need to have a temperature check, gel hands, change mask anyway so your appointment letter can be checked at the same time.
(I walked out of a restaurant back at the beginning of all this because my mobile phone wasn't up to date enough to load the app they insisted on instead of the menu. We went to the place up the road, used their hand gel and wipeable menu. All fine).

On my letter it said there was no choice but that I could borrow a phone and that number would not be put on my medical notes?!