Virtual care (telehealth) in Hunter New England

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My Virtual Care is NSW Health's clinical telehealth system. 

My Virtual Care or telehealth allows you to talk to hear and most importantly see your health professionals over the internet instead of attending a face-to-face appointment. 

Your clinician may have suggested a telehealth appointment because they feel it is clinically suitable and because of the many benefits it may bring you and your family.

Benefits including: 

• less travel time 
• less costs
• less time away from work and family
• easier ability to have more of your care providers included in the one appointment.

If your treating team has discussed with you the opportunity to include some of your other healthcare providers such as your GP or community nurse this will be arranged by the hospital or community health team.

If you require an interpreter for your consult they can also join via video link. Along with your appointment details you will have been provided a web link to the virtual waiting room this may come in the form of an email, letter or a text message. If you know which waiting room you need to join you can also connect via the telehealth link on the Hunter New England health website. 

You'll be able to connect from your PC with webcam, laptop, tablet or mobile device. You'll need to ensure you have sufficient internet connectivity. If you're unsure you can complete a speed test information on how to conduct a speed test can be found on the Hunter New England health internet under, telehealth information for patients. It's a great idea to test your connection prior to your appointment and reach out for help if you have any problems.

Click the link or type the link into your browser, please note My Virtual Care does not work on internet explorer, then follow these steps to connect to the appointment.

Log in by entering your name and phone number and select your role as a patient or carer by using the drop-down list then select next. 

You'll be prompted to test your audio and video select test microphone and speak out loud you should hear yourself all feedback through your speakers. 

Select test video you should see the video from your camera displayed on screen. 

Once you have completed your testing select next. 

Rate your audio and video quality and select finish. 

Once you've provided a rating next enter your appointment details including time, doctor's name if unsure select I don't know and select enter. 

You have now been placed in the waiting room your clinician will join the appointment when they are ready.

If you're testing your connection prior to your appointment once you can see the virtual waiting room please close your browser this link is only to be used for scheduled or booked appointments, clinicians are unavailable outside set appointment times.

While you're waiting if you have any questions you'd like to ask you can send a message to your doctor for discussion during your appointment. If you can't see a video playing or this background there may be an issue with your connection to the virtual waiting room. You should also see yourself in a small window towards the bottom screen of your computer or mobile device, please call telehealth support if you are having any issues.

During the consultation you may use the following video controls: 

• microphone on 
• microphone muted 
• video on 
• video off 
• share screen or
• disconnect call.

When the clinician is ready to join you for the appointment they will connect to you first and then add any participants that are attending the appointment, for example your GP or community nurse. You're welcome to include a family member or support person, these people could either be with you forwarded the link to the appointment or your health professional could invite them to join via video or phone call at the time of the appointment. Your appointment will run similar to a face-to-face appointment and you can ask questions at any time.

When the appointment is finished select disconnect call. At the end of your telehealth appointment you may be asked to complete a survey about your telehealth experience, we value your feedback and appreciate your time in completing the questionnaire.

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