Online hospital appointments (Telehealth)

Ask your clinician (doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider) if an online appointment is right for your situation. Appointments that can be done online include:

• mental health appointments
• follow-up appointments
• physiotherapy, dietetics, and speech-language therapy appointments.

You can get prescriptions and follow-up referrals made with online appointments. They are sent to the relevant place for you.

You will need an in-person appointment if you need to be examined or have tests done.

For online appointments it is good to have:

• a quiet place for privacy
• a list of questions or issues you want to discuss with your clinician
• something to write things down
• your medication list
• a support person if you want one — they can join from wherever they are.

If you need an interpreter, let the person know when you make the appointment.

Phone appointments

For phone appointments you need either a:

• landline 
• mobile phone with good reception — and make sure it is charged.

Video appointments

For video appointments you need:

• a device with a camera and microphone — a computer, laptop, mobile or tablet 
• a good internet connection — video appointments use around the same data as watching videos online
• the Microsoft Teams or Zoom app installed if you are using a mobile or tablet.

Phone appointments

Your healthcare provider will call you at the agreed time.

If your call disconnects the healthcare provider will call you back. 

Video appointments

You will get an appointment confirmation by email. This will include a link you can select to 'Join the meeting'. When you select the link you will either open: 

• a website browser if you use a computer or laptop — make sure you ‘allow’ your browser to use your camera and microphone
• the Microsoft Teams or Zoom app if using a mobile or table — make sure you have the right app installed, have logged in and tested it before you joining your appointment. 

If the video disconnects, try to reconnect by selecting 'Rejoin' in the meeting, or the 'Join the meeting' link in your appointment confirmation. If you cannot reconnect your clinician will call you on the phone to continue the appointment. 

Your privacy is important to us. No matter if it is an in-person, phone or video appointment — our systems are designed to keep your information confidential. During the online appointment, your clinician will be in a private space, and the information will be recorded in your health record. The video appointments are made over a secured network.

We do not record your online appointment. Your healthcare provider may ask your permission to record images if they think it would help your treatment.

You play a key role in keeping yourself safe online. Try to close any other apps or windows on your device before and during the appointment to avoid performance and security issues.