Forum Topic

NHS - yet more expensive useless ideas!

When money is in short supply in the overstretched NHS - I find this announcement unbelieveable:-"If you are using the NHS Health Help Now app to request appointments and order repeat prescriptions after 30 June you will no longer be able to use this app as it is being decommissioned.There is a relatively new app simply called ‘NHS app’ which has been introduced and it is recommended that you register to use this app. The registration process can take a while to complete and you will need to scan your passport or driving licence plus you will also have to either do a facial scan or record a video as part of the registration."What jobsworthy drempt that up?   Drempt? Maybe dreamed?   All very well for those with the wherewithal to scan things, assuming that they actually have passport or driving licence but as for facial scanning and sending a video!!!   What utter nonsense – the people most needing this are the elderly, infirm and the plain dotty.   What world do these inventors live in?    If I knew who to blast off to I’d do so! I want my taxes spent on MEDICAL matters, not flights of fancy.    

Jennifer Selig ● 2006d12 Comments

Information here https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/?utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

Ben Halloren ● 2003d

There is an article just popped up in the Guardian about this. I dont have an opinion about the app but someone with a better understanding of it may read the article and clarify it.

Nicholas Beard ● 2003d

Best app you can use is the Covid19 one from King's College/Zoe, has almost 4 million users. Research rather than track and trace, but it won't work on an old Nokia as you can only download it on Android/Apple phones.If you start reporting, you get a good picture as to what's going on nationally as well as locally, and you get plenty of research the gov can't be bothered to tell you about.

Urs Esser ● 2004d

It's a scam you need neither passport nor driving licence to register for any NHS app.Not having a smart phone probably does rule you out of the Covid-19 track and trace application as it uses both location and Bluetooth to report. While your old Nokia probably has Bluetooth it probably does not report its location.

N V Brooks ● 2005d

NVB  please explain - my contact when asked again about "the new app simply called ‘NHS app’ which has been introduced and it is recommended that you register to use this app. The registration process can take a while to complete and you will need to scan your passport or driving licence plus you will also have to either do a facial scan or record a video as part of the registration?    Is that bit the scam, someone ‘avin a laff? " He has replied to me "Just read your email.The new NHS app has additional security which is why you have to scan either your passport or driving licence plus also do the facial scan (the video option is far easier)."I am totally bemused - it this a scam or not?  2ndly, I do not have a smart phone, just an old Noikia mobile, does that rule me out anyway?Sorry to be a bore but may at some stage need this - who knows.  Currently have excellent local pharmacy and GP.  Thanks a lot JS.

Jennifer Selig ● 2005d

Thanks, I found it in seconds. Thanks again.

Nicholas Beard ● 2005d

Indeed it is. It was 'silently loaded' on all Msrshmallow, Nougat and Oreo Android phones a few weks ago.

N V Brooks ● 2005d

On an android, go to settings then to Google settings and is should be there.On an Apple iPhone, go to settings, then privacy and then health.

Raymond Havelock ● 2005d

I did not know this. Do you look in the normal apps section?

Nicholas Beard ● 2005d

Few have noticed that the covid trace app has been planted into all smartphones but only those with Apple or Android and with certain operating versions.However nobody seems to have been made aware that they have to search for it on their phone and activate it manually.But worst of all are the 47% who do not have access to or ability to  use a smartphone or apps.The dependency on apps is making to believing that Superheroes will put everything right as they always do in Marvel Films

Raymond Havelock ● 2005d

If Jennifer did not see it, it shows how worrying it could be for some. I think I would have believed it and probably started to work out the best way to do it. I am truthful about it!

Nicholas Beard ● 2006d

I also find it unbelieveable which is why a simple Google reveals the 'announcement' to be a scam.

N V Brooks ● 2006d