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.

Currently dealing with 2 different family members who are awaiting surgery. One is 20, the other 65. The 20 year old is under London hospital trust, the 65 year old Addenbrookes in Cambridge. Nothing gets sent on an app or needs to link to an app. Both have smartphones, they get txted, phoned or emailed. Texts and emails sometimes contain links, these do not lead to an app.

When my 94 year old Dad was ill the hospital phoned him and sent appointment confirmation in the post. They also had my number.

Never had to use an app even for a repeat prescription. You can do it that way at my GP surgery, but the online form - identical to the app - is online and you can also email or phone

I completely agree, my parents are in their 80s and really overwhelmed with things like this. If I wasn’t there to help, they would either get horrendously stressed about it or just not turn up to appointments/get medication and probably miss vital treatment. Maybe that’s the intention :(

I genuinely wonder that

There will be a group aside from the elderly who can't use technology as well - what happens to people generally if their health problems prevent them from using tech?

Apparently they are supposed to be able to say they don't have access to a smartphone/internet, and things should be done on the phone/by letter. I respect that for someone vulnerable, in pain and alone, insisting on these rights might be much harder than for most of us.
It is awful, and please do complain and ask for alternatives both for your family's sake (yes, you can help them now, but that might not always be so, plus they should have the right to access care independently as long as their health permits) and for others.

I think the Addenbrookes patient could download and use MyChart if they wanted to.

That’s good. But people who have had strokes, or who don’t find it easy to text because of arthritis, etc, do find it difficult to. You’d be surprised how hard GP receptionists find this to understand-one argued with me about how easy it should be. The fucking questionnaire was PAGES long.

They haven't been asked to, it's never been suggested to them. They work in statistics so would have the skills. Honestly, the idea that everything needs an app needs nipping in the bud. Quite apart from anything else, even those with 3 year old iPhones don't have the storage for apps for everything since iOS 26

I do, I have to sort all these things for DH!

I'm going to take a guess that you live with your DH

That makes it a lot easier

Not if they're at a different surgery.

Yes I know.

So "am I being unreasonable to expect elderly people to use the app" = you think they ought to use it

But I disagree and suspect you do, too?

Not really- we both have iPads but I have to manage his emails, NHS app, order from Amazon etc as well as my own. I do show him how to do things, but end up doing them anyway ! He just enjoys doom scrolling!

I wonder that too

My dad's 85 he can use the nhs app and a smart phone.
My wife is 73 and can use the app.
There must be very few older people that cant do this?
I can access my wifes app from my phone, so surley those that cant access it csn just get family member to do do? You dont need permission from the nhs just add it your phone.

Not just older people. I also have a strange mixture and it’s confusing- I’m under two hospital trusts. GP is through Patches. Both hospital trusts send paper letters. I would opt out, but don’t know if it is an option or necessarily trust them not to delete me altogether. Each has slightly different way of sending digital appointments and managing them.

I separately because private have dentist and podiatrist

i need to request another blood test and a referral with GP but I almost can’t face the online form. Just too many pages even if it’s simple. Phone might be easier but very hard to get through and I’ll leave it people who can’t do online. I’m fully computer literate but tired (literally, the last test showed borderline anaemia)

Those with dementia are going to struggle. That can be both parties in the couple....

Not everyone has family members to support them.

And the NHS app is shit. As is the NHS approach to patient communication generally.

My surgery allows people to call for appointments if they are unable to use the technology. Surely every surgery should be obliged to?

It's the same with lots of things not just the NHS App.

My aunt is 97. She lives independently and can manage emails and Facebook. But apps defeat her.

We live two hours away from her so can't be much help, and she's so independent that she'd be horrified by the idea of us having her medical details.

Thank you and glad there is this. If hard of hearing/unable to read, reliance on SS is so important when you don't have anyone. Xx

Well done to those that can cope but not everyone can and it's not just medical matters but nearly everything in life nowadays. People are being locked out of their own lives with no consideration given to them. You should have the option to choose how you communicate and how they communicate back. We are just magically meant to understand the ever changing technology.

That's so sad, as you say, fear of opening up an app or even having banking online. Proper letters held in the hand is of upmost importance, proof.

DM can navigate a few apps but gets scared, rightfully so. Thankfully we are here to help but for those who don't have loved ones nearby this is so stressful.

can you do it with your eyes shut? I mean literally with your eyes shut? Neither of my parents have good vision these days and cannot read a screen. They also both have cognitive issues so learning new skills, and remembering old ones, is increasingly difficult. Their day to day life is kept on track by the reminders of familiar things about their house; they have reached the point of needing care to manage to continue to live at home,l. One also has a tremor so using touch screens is very unreliable (and the other arthritis in her hands). So tell me again how easy it is….