The change has affected patients at the Bay Medical Practice, which operates Sandown and Shanklin medical centres.
An 83-year-old woman from Lake was left “very upset”after visiting Sandown Medical Centre to book an appointment in person, only to be informed that only online bookings would now be accepted.
A few days later, she received the same response at Shanklin Medical Centre.
Dr Sam Judd, managing partner at The Bay Medical Practice, insists patients are fully supported “to access our services in multiple forms”, but they are finding this not to be the case.
Posting on Facebook, Jackie Thorley said her father, 96, has been “left in a real spin” due to the new policy.
She said: “His response was more or less summed up as….. ‘well I guess at 96 I’ve had my life and they don’t care if I die now.’
“So wrong.”
Agreeing, Abbie Bradley said her parents don’t have internet and “not everyone is computer savvy”
She said: “My brother and I aren’t around all the time to help them with this and while they are independent they wouldn’t put this on us either.
“They were happy to ring up or walk up and make an appointment at the surgery which is far easier.”
Tiena Eccles, meanwhile, expressed her frustration with the lack of support available for patients.
She said: “It’s a terrible system.
“They have tablets in the surgery to book an appointment but there isn’t anyone to ask for help.
“I think Dr Sam Judd should start looking at feedback and see for himself how frustrating the new system is.”
Katy Mary Whitewood shared her own difficulties with the new system, stating: “I absolutely hate it and find it very frustrating!
“It puts me off making appointments which I hardly ever do! And as for the elderly I think it disgusting making them make appointments this way.”
Cilla Fordham said she will she does not agree with things “being forced” online and will continue to phone for as long as she can.
Sharon Dinsdale highlighted the pressure the new system places on patients with long-term health issues.
“It’s another stress they could do without!”, she said.
In response, Mr Judd, said: “As part of offering the best access possible, we have implemented a system called Rapid Health as part of our moving forward into the future of modern general practice.
“This change first took place in April and we undertook a significant communications programme prior to its rollout to ensure our patients were aware.
“The system helps to assess clinical needs to direct the patient to the right healthcare professional.”
He also noted that patients unable to use the online system could call the practice for assistance and that tablets are available at both centres for those who wish to use them.
James Roach, director of primary care and local care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “We are committed to ensuring the best access possible for patients in primary care and the new online consultations offer patients an improved way to access the care that they need whether for describing symptoms, getting advice or requesting prescriptions.
“Patients also require a wide variety of ways to access their NHS and we work with all practices to ensure that the new online system is running alongside all other methods.”