Older People 'Second Class Citizens' In Digital NHS

OLDER people are being “made to feel like second-class citizens” as more health services go online, campaigners have warned.

- Hanna Geissler

Fears have been raised about plans to scrap face-to-face NHS health checks and asking patients to complete them at home instead.

In a pilot in Cornwall, 2,000 people will undertake an online questionnaire, take their own blood sample and visit a pharmacy or GP waiting room for a blood pressure check.

Ministers said the trial would reduce pressure on pressured GPs in anticipation of a national rollout.

But Dennis Reed, director of over60s campaign group Silver Voices, warned it appeared to ignore the needs of some older people who are not online, either because of cost or a lack of digital skills.