Many hospital and community services offer video health appointments.
A video health appointment is where you have a consultation with your healthcare professional online. You can do this at home.
You can get video appointments for many services including:
- physiotherapy, dietetics, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy
- follow-up with a consultant, for example, to get results
- mental health care
- chronic disease management
Ask your healthcare professional if they do video appointments.
You cannot get a video appointment for all situations. For example, if your doctor or nurse needs to do a physical examination.
Sometimes your healthcare professional offers a blended care option. This is where you meet them in person for some appointments. And you meet them on video calls for others.
Preparing for your video health appointment
There are things you can do to prepare for your video health appointment.
Get to know our video service
We use a service called Attend Anywhere for video calls.
You do not need to download Attend Anywhere. You can join through your browser. For example, on Google Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge.
Decide which device to use
You can join your video appointment on a device that connects to the internet, such as a:
- laptop
- desktop computer
- tablet
- smartphone
Check that your device has a working:
- camera
- microphone
- speaker
Check your internet connection
Your connection needs a speed of at least 2Mbps (megabits per second). You can do a speed test to check this.
Check your internet speed - speedtest.net
For any device, try to connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network. This can help give a stable internet connection.
You can also use a 3G, 4G or 5G connection on your mobile device.
Make a test call
Make a test call to check that your device and internet connection work with Attend Anywhere.
This is just a test call. It will not be answered.
It will show you what will appear on the screen when you join your real video call.
Accept any prompts asking for access to your camera, microphone or speakers.
Final checks before the call
There are things you can do or avoid doing to make sure you get the most from your appointment.
Do
-
check you have the link for the call - we send this by text, email or letter
-
check your device is charged
-
join a few minutes early so you can check your camera, microphone and speaker
-
make sure the healthcare professional can see you clearly - choose a brightly lit part of the room
-
if you need to show a part of your body, wear clothes that you can remove easily
-
have a list of questions ready to ask on the call, so you will not forget anything
-
follow any other advice your healthcare professional gives you for the call
-
choose a quiet place where other people will not pass through
-
ask people you live with not to interrupt the call
Don't
-
do not hold your smartphone in your hand - rest it against something
-
do not have the call in a small or cluttered area if you will be doing exercises - leave plenty of room to move
How to join your appointment
Your healthcare professional will send a link to your appointment by:
- text message
- letter
If you do not get this, contact their office.
To start the call, click on the link. A prompt shows that your microphone and camera are in use.
During your appointment
Speak clearly. Do not be afraid to ask your healthcare professional to repeat what they said if you did not hear them properly.
Ask them any questions you may have.
Your appointment is private
Video health appointments are safe and secure.
The call will not be recorded without your permission. Do not record the call yourself without discussing this with your healthcare provider.
Helping someone with their video appointment
If you are making an appointment for someone, make sure they're happy to have a video call and to use the camera.
If not, their healthcare professional may arrange another type of appointment. For example, a phone call or in-person appointment.
Helping your child with their video appointment
If you're helping your child with their video appointment, explain to them how the call will work.
Ask them to look at the screen and speak clearly to their healthcare professional.
Technical help with your call
Sometimes there can be technical issues during your video health appointment. Your healthcare professional will understand.
If the video health appointment does not work
If the video call does not work out, do not worry. Your appointment will not be classed as a 'Did Not Attend'.
You can reschedule it.