Having to download nhs Covid app for orthodontist appointment

[Gobacktothe90s]

Took son for orthodontist appointment today and was told I had to have the NHS app on my phone and check in on arrival.
I did already have the app but being forced to have the app and scan QR code in front of receptionist not sure how I feel about that.
Can they make people do this before treatment?

Checking in doesn't really do anything except perhaps alert that the venue is risky (later on).
See this: twitter.com/RP131/status/1311592652584910854
"That's a different part of the app where it just warns you about potentially risky venues and isn't related to this algorithm. It's hardly being used too as only 4 venues have even been marked as risky so far."

Much as I support efforts to track and trace I do dislike people being expected to have and use phones in a certain way. The app isn't mandatory. Having a smartphone isn't mandatory.

That said if you have it there's no risk to you in scanning it, other than handling your phone more than necessary and potentially spreading germs or virus that way!

No it's the mandatory you must have the app and check in in front of the receptionist on a app that is supposed to be choice I don't like not the increased risk of me using my phone.
It also presumes everyone has a smartphone

Tbh if I felt that strongly I'd say the battery was dead or the app didn't work on your phone.
(Not something you can do when trying to pay for parking and the machine doesn't take card or cash and forces you to have a smart phone and data/wifi enough to use an app, or not be allowed to park).

That makes absolutely no sense. They are a dentists, ii will all be appointment only so they should know exactly who is there. It's not like they have random walk-ins off the street.

Perhaps it is a condition from up high to practice.

I've noticed this with Costa by me now, you have to show you've checked in. But this app is draining my battery having location and Bluetooth on so many are turning Bluetooth off so it can't then track where you have been rendering it almost useless.

Daft. They will already have your contact details

Why would this make you uncomfortable? We’re all doing it and the receptionist doesn’t care about you.

What about elderly people who don't have smartphones, or anyone too poor to have one?

I find how so many people are seeming against using the app that is meant to help track and trace a virus during a pandemic but so many are happy to check in on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram postings etc. Bizarre

You know you can check in and then turn off your Bluetooth? Nice the pandemic is over, you can delete the app too

Most places will also have a manual sign in if you really are so bothered you don’t want to help the general population during a pandemic

I do hope you’re not I’ve to then condemn the government for not doing enough when you just can’t be bothered to do something so simple.

What do they do for people who don't own smart phones??

There is another thread about same scenario en Mac Donald’s. And there is another one where a good % of peopke we’re saying that when going out give fake details ... so I think the fact that are making compulsory some places the app is because t&t is really not working and one of the reasons is because people aren’t helping

I find how so many people are seeming against using the app that is meant to help track and trace a virus during a pandemic but so many are happy to check in on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram postings etc. Bizarre

I don’t check in on other apps either, but even if I did, I don’t have a problem checking in on the app (I don’t use it because my phone is useless and repeatedly closes apps mid-use anyway and this app seems to make it worse and ruin an already poor battery). But I do have a problem with the app being mandatory when many people can’t access it, and can leave details in other ways. Should my otherwise healthy grandparents not go to the dentist because between the two of them they share one old non-smart phone that they only have for emergencies?

For people who haven't read my post, I have the app already but the fact to access treatment for my son I had to have the app and physically scan qr code in front of receptionist. The app is supposed to be a choice

Given that the app isn't compatible on a lot of phones (including some newer ones) and not everyone owns a smart phone then no, they cant make you use the app. They do however have to write down your contact details (if you are unable to use the app) in order to be able to contact you later if someone were to test positive who had been in the building when you were,

@IloveJKRowling

What about elderly people who don't have smartphones, or anyone too poor to have one?

Or anyone who could readily afford one and doesn't want one?

Ive deleted the app from my phone. I don 't want to be contacted by a restaurant I socially distanced from everyone in, that one of their waitresses has Covid. What would I do with that information, same with shops Ive spent five minutes in. I can handle my own track and trace I think.

Or anyone who could readily afford one and doesn't want one?

Well, quite. It's just another example of how the people in charge are completely out of touch with the population. I know plenty of people without smartphones. In fact, I think I know more people who don't have them for various reasons, than those that do.

Any contact tracing operation that relies solely on a piece of kit that not everyone has is going to fail.

Dentists don’t have to display the QR code- confirmed by the BDA.
bda.org/advice/Coronavirus/Pages/latest-updates.aspx

We didn't have to have the app, not even asked. Have to answer some questions the day before on the phone, and on the day just have to phone a number on the door and wait outside, then the nurse opens the door to let DD in and takes her temperature. Parents wait outside or in the car. No need for the app in that situation.

We went with my son to a dentist and they didn't have on display a QR code poster. However, our details are there, in their system. What I mean is that they have another way to implement Track and Trace, by keeping a file with people details. The same for hair salons cafeterias etc. But it is quite inappropriate to force someone to download the app and scan, especially since they have details.