Health inequalities and digital exclusion
- By Brian Leveson
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- 25 Oct, 2021
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How a trip for a blood test with the North Middlesex Blood Service was a text book example of age related discrimination (with an unhealthy spoonful of toxic masculinity on the side).
No computer, no appointment
Arriving early for my 8am blood test I struck up a conversation with the person who was also waiting outside this early autumnal morning. This person told me that they were retired and had no access to the online booking system as they lived alone and were not digitally connected. As a result of this they had been unable to access the online booking system. They told me that their GP had told them to come along to the surgery for an appointment and that they had also spent two weeks getting hold of the GP in order to get the blood test form.
Can't you ask a friend? (When I say a friend, I don't mean that person)
As the person was the first int he queue this morning they were also the first to approach the receptionist. Explaining the situation to the receptionist the person was very clear that they did not have access to the online booking system. The response was that you have to book online and there was no alternative.
The receptionist refused to accept that an older person might not have any access to the internet and made 'helpful' suggestions that the elderly person should go away and ask a friend.
I interjected.
'They have very clearly explained to you that they have no access to and the solution that you are offering is not feasible'.
So, that was not welcomed by the receptionist and I was told to shut up.
The elderly person gave me their name and phone number.
The receptionist told them not to talk to me.
Like that works!
'Why don't you offer to book the appointment for them? You have access to the internet there and the booking system? Or why not have a laptop available to use to make the booking? Or offer to help?'
Miraculously, the older person was given the appointment - I was given the evil eye from the receptionist.
The receptionist refused to accept that an older person might not have any access to the internet and made 'helpful' suggestions that the elderly person should go away and ask a friend.
I interjected.
'They have very clearly explained to you that they have no access to and the solution that you are offering is not feasible'.
So, that was not welcomed by the receptionist and I was told to shut up.
The elderly person gave me their name and phone number.
The receptionist told them not to talk to me.
Like that works!
'Why don't you offer to book the appointment for them? You have access to the internet there and the booking system? Or why not have a laptop available to use to make the booking? Or offer to help?'
Miraculously, the older person was given the appointment - I was given the evil eye from the receptionist.
The 'power pose' from a nameless powerful man
No unreasonably, I asked for the receptionists name.
Why do you want my name?
Because you dealt with me and you are covering your badge.
Yes, I dealt with you and I dealt with you fine, so no I will not give you my m=name. Why do you want my name? Do you want me to get the phlebotomist?
Don't worry about it - you have told me enough.
Sit down.
This was an instruction, not a request. But given that there were two people standing in front of me, I just looked helpless.
He remained hovering at the door, staring at me for an uncomfortable amount of time. As I sat down I looked up and I was treated to an arms crossed, shoulders squared, stare-you-down power pose.
But the vulnerable and elderly digitally disconnected person did get their blood test - so yes it WAS worth it.
Why do you want my name?
Because you dealt with me and you are covering your badge.
Yes, I dealt with you and I dealt with you fine, so no I will not give you my m=name. Why do you want my name? Do you want me to get the phlebotomist?
Don't worry about it - you have told me enough.
Sit down.
This was an instruction, not a request. But given that there were two people standing in front of me, I just looked helpless.
He remained hovering at the door, staring at me for an uncomfortable amount of time. As I sat down I looked up and I was treated to an arms crossed, shoulders squared, stare-you-down power pose.
But the vulnerable and elderly digitally disconnected person did get their blood test - so yes it WAS worth it.
Why not go to PALS then?
I requested the details of the practice manager. Not available either, apparently.
Systemic issues leading to inequitable access to health care.
Clearly this is an issue of a system that excludes people who are not digitally connected
and disproportionately impacts on older people, people without the money to fund a digital connection, people who are excluded digitally for reasons such as homelessness or who may not want to access the system at home and explain to others why they need a blood test.
If you thought SEND was bad - the NHS is seemingly prepared to throw away money to private companies
About 3 or 4 times a year we get the euphemistic message 'Parents please note we have put a letter in your child's bag' - its a world away from how a child's death was handled in my child's first school
More of a trial by ordeal than a well organised clearly set out administrative process for moving the care of vulnerable young adults from Haringey's Children's Services to Adult Services. We have been failed at every stage of the process.
Never EVER get on the bus without a camera running if you need the priority wheelchair space
The reality of using a London Bus in the teeming rain on a Sunday afternoon is no joke when the parents of a paraplegic person in a wheelchair clash with the self-entitled buggy-pushing parents of toddlers.
At 3pm today I received some barefaced lies from Haringey Council Adult Social Care in response to a photograph I published online yesterday and the media interest it generated
Haringey SEND Transport are insisting that a 17 year old minibus with no air conditioning is a suitable vehicle to transport my paraplegic son in this heatwave. The appalling conditions inside the minibus inside the bus is something they knew about last summer, yet they have to date done nothing whatsoever provide a suitable minibus this year nor appropriately mitigate the temperatures inside the minibus.The conditions inside the minibus are so bad that they triggered multiple seizures during the heatwave as my son has epilepsy, which they SEND transport department know about and they also know that they are triggered by heat.It is not just son who is impacted: last year we know of one child who died on Haringey SEND Transport in the summer heatwave and another who had seizures.
I am simply asking a question - are we all absolutely certain that the road closure / travel restrictions (commonly know as LTNs) placed on some of the most severely disabled people who are wholly reliant on cars are absolutely necessary
Haringey's road closures exemptions policy for disabled people is not fit for purpose, unduly burdensome and intrusive - it's time to stand up against the pro-LTN lycra-clad cycling bullies
Is the argument for and against exemptions for disabled people in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods really a case of GOOD versus EVIL?
