Quotas at some Hong Kong public dental clinics were filled on Monday despite the teething problems of a waiting list arrangement that came with elderly residents failing to register for their appointments online.
Some retirees still expressed concerns about the lack of computer literacy among many elderly people, despite health authorities offering help and assuring patients they would be informed of a waiting list opportunity through a phone call by the Department of Health.
Amy So, 60, a retiree who lives in Tsuen Wan, described the waiting list system as “better than nothing”, although she was worried the process was too rushed for elderly patients, who were expected to arrive within two hours of receiving a call to claim their slots on the waiting list.
“Do you expect us to stand by and wait for their call? No one would do that. It’s feasible if you happen to live nearby, but it’s like winning the lottery,” she said.
So also pointed out that some elderly patients did not intentionally miss their appointments, but gave up from running late or because they were feeling unwell.
“I spent half an hour looking for the way today, and I have been following the directions on Google Maps,” So said. She had left her home at 7am to make an appointment at a clinic.
