To expect the elderly and other vulnerable people to be able to navigate online NHS app?

[Allonthesametrain]

Well just this. Fortunately as family we are able to help and it's heartbreaking when your elderly parents get a message and don't know to respond because it takes you to an app.

The letter for an appt can come after the online confirmation so that guarantee isn't there. For our older generation, the worry of making sure on time, leaving extra early, getting whatever it takes to get there.

As I said, fortunately as family we are there to help but it makes me worry about those who don't have support. I know SS will most likely be involved but how much due to their caseload, no matter how much they care and are amazing.

Fully aware of aĺl issues of funding but there really needs to be a better way than to send a text to an 87 year old to then go to an app which becomes overwhelming.

It’s a nightmare for older people I completely agree. Both my parents are around 80 and actually relatively tech savvy - smart phones and laptops etc. But the intricacies of a complex NHS app leave them missing appts and care being delayed

Your title sounds like you think they should be able to use it and your OP, not?

I think it should be easy enough to have a paper-first option for vulnerable people.

Agree whole heartedly. The lack of respect shown to older people around tech for essential services is shocking.

I think many, heartbreakingly, are slipping through the cracks with disastrous consequences - and no statistics either given they’re slipping through the cracks.

NHS worker here and we loose so many appointments with patients not aware of these texts advising of appointments. Some patients are elderly or disabled, some think it’s a scam and won’t open the text link, some don’t have the app for the letters it’s absolutely riddled with issues.

The issue is that nhs England have said to all trusts we need to save money and postage costs are one of the key target areas!

You’re being extremely unrealistic.

Lots of people aren’t tech savvy, let alone when they’re in their 80s or 90s.

YABU. It really is easy.

YABU

I think you’ve misread their post.

No. She’s not.

Totally agree.

It's difficult enough for anyone to navigate the arcane world of the ever-changing NHS appointments that move dates at least three times before you finally get to it, without funnelling everyone, including the very elderly, to tech.

What on earth are they thinking, it's like there's no actual knowledge of how elderly people operate, and the challenges they face, despite care of the elderly being quite a focus of many NHS functions.

Your title is misleading

Our local pharmacy has gone paper free so instead of taking in prescription slip to order prescription you have to order via NHS App, which my elderly DM has no hope of managing

I’m disabled, the app has sent me an appointment at a time that’s impossible for me. I’ve sent feedback but I’ve had no word that it’s either been cancelled or reorganised. The app is crap.

It was a carry on from aibu...to expect

Not sure why they have signed up to use an app if they can't navigate it.
My DM has all her appointments and information communicated by old-fashioned snail mail. She doesn't have a smartphone or any kind of computer/laptop/tablet.

You can add other people to your own NHS app, can't you, with their consent, or is that just for children?

Oldie here…I manage!

Yes your AIBU is a bit confusing.

I totally agree with what I think you are saying. The latest letter I had on the app was in teeny tiny text that I couldn't blow up to be readable for me. It's just not accessible to everyone. And then they blame the patients when they fail to turn up to appointments that they can't find out they have. It's probably largely because of my slightly dodgy phone, but elderly people can have older or glitchier phones too.

@Allonthesametrain don't you mean the opposite of what you've said?

My mum can't do this stuff because she lost fine motor skills after having a couple of strokes

It really annoys me the way people talk to her like she should be able to do it

We've gone through various iterations, and sometimes people think she's stupid because of her age

And now we're in the era where people think she should be able to do this stuff without recognising that age may mean you lose the ability to do things like this

Of course some 87-year-olds will be able to do it but frankly, given that statistically they are supposed to be dead, it amazes me that there isn't more sympathy for those who can't do it.

She doesn't do anything online but they will send her letters still. I'm not sure how long that will go on. I'm also not sure how we're supposed to manage when it stops.

Are people just logging into their Parents accounts and doing it for them?

Even worse, to expect 90 plus year olds to fill in text questionnaires in order to see a GP. Outrageous.

Big apologies, sorry yes I realise the title is misleading! For me it meant aibu that elderly and vulnerable people should have to navigate this. Going to get touch with admin now,as can't personally change it. Xx

@Allseeingallknowing good for you. My DM in her 90s without a mobile phone or internet might struggle!

Luckily I have managed to get her added to my NHS App, but what if she was on her own?

It's truly disgraceful.

Well done. But you need to appreciate that many others can’t manage.