Don’t think you are the only one with feelings of doubt at the thought of online medical appointments. GP’s and consultants also feel a little apprehensive at the loss of empathy that person-to-person contact provides; some medical signs are conveyed more easily in a more intimate environment than can be relayed via a screen.
The problem of course, is one of familiarity; these new-fangled methods of instant access, whilst a boon to people who find travel difficult to arrange, are more of a threat to the internet illiterate tribe. You end up hoping that you follow the instructions correctly and hit the right buttons in time.
It was hard enough before, trying to remember everything you intended to mention on the day of the appointment. Now, an email is perhaps all you'll get, with the additional stress of a digital set-up test to face and instructions on how to enter a digital waiting area.
Well let’s see if we can simplify the process and ease the hassle.
Video consultations will not normally be used if you require blood tests or scans or if your clinician needs to carry out an examination.
You will receive a letter, or a text message if you have your mobile number with details of your appointment, including the date and time of your appointment, name of your virtual clinic and the link you need to follow to enter the Virtual Waiting Room. You should aim to join the waiting room 10 minutes before your appointment.
If this is the first time you are attending a video consultation, you are recommended to check and test your equipment in advance. You can practice joining the virtual waiting room at any time, by following the link to the Test Waiting Area option:
Test Waiting Area
Are you ready to make video calls?
Click the following button to test your device, connection, microphone, and web camera setup.
Note: This test does not actually make a call.
Enter the Waiting Area
Click the following button to enter the Test Waiting Area:
On the day of your video appointment sign in, please wait for our clinician to greet you. Occasionally there might be a short delay and your appointment might not run at the planned time. This might be because the clinician needs to spend a little longer with another patient. If this happens the consultant will aim to send you a message.
The link to access your video consultation can be found in your appointment letter or text message.
Find out more about how your video consultation will work by visiting this website and clicking on the video entitled How To Use Near Me: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/services/nearme/
