'Absolutely disgraceful' how some Kilkenny people are alienated
Cllr Maurice Shortall says that older people who are not digitally-savvy are being increasingly left behind, following a recent experience involving a constituent and the HSE
Cllr Maurice Shortall (Ind) has taken to social media to highlight his concerns about how older people are being increasingly alienated by technological hurdles in the modern world.
"Last Friday, I visited a man in my constituency who needed help with an urgent issue relating to his hospital appointment," Cllr Shortall explained.
"He had been trying, unsuccessfully, to contact the number provided to him by the HSE. That number had not been answered for over two weeks.
"I examined the appointment letter myself and rang the number several times, with no response. On turning the page, I discovered that the only alternative method of contact was via a QR code.
"This man is in his mid-80s and, like many older people, does not have the ability to use QR codes or modern digital technology.
"When I scanned the QR code on his behalf, I was able to access the system and reconfirm that he was still attending his hospital appointment. This highlights a serious and unacceptable failure by the HSE.
"It is absolutely disgraceful that older people are being alienated in this way — provided with phone numbers that go unanswered and then expected to navigate digital systems they are simply not equipped to use.
"Our public health service must be accessible to everyone, especially our older citizens, and this situation needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I will be taking this matter further."