Telehealth service

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The Women's is committed to improving access to our services. As part of this commitment, we provide some of our clinic appointments by video call, known as telehealth. 

Telehealth appointments at the Women’s 

Your appointment letter will tell you how you will attend your telehealth appointment.

There are two ways to join your telehealth appointment:  

1. Joining from a text message from your clinician 

Near the time of your appointment, you will get a text message from your clinician with a link. 

Click the link to start your telehealth call.

Your clinician may be running late - they’ll send a text message when they’re ready to see you. Thanks for your patience. 

2. Joining from one of the virtual waiting rooms 

Check your appointment letter to find the name of your clinic.

Then, go to the virtual waiting room list and click on the right clinic.

Please join the waiting room 5 minutes before your appointment time. 

Your clinician may be running late. Thanks for your patience - they’ll join you as soon as they can. 

Virtual waiting room

Preparing for your telehealth video call appointment 

Before your appointment 
  • Make a test call. 

Start Video Call 

On the day of your appointment 
  • Find a private, quiet and well-lit area for your appointment. Your clinician may cancel your appointment if you’re somewhere unsuitable, like driving a car or in a busy public place (e.g. a shopping centre). 

  • Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask. 

  • Have your phone or laptop charged and with enough battery. 

During your appointment 
  • Introduce yourself and anyone else in the room with you. 

  • Turn off any virtual background (blurred background is okay).

  • Let your clinician know where you are and the address, in case we need to call emergency services. 

  • Confirm your contact number with your clinician – if the telehealth is disconnected, we might have to call you on your phone. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen in my video appointment?

Your video appointment is much like your regular appointment at the Women’s. Instead of meeting in person with a clinician at the hospital, you will meet with them through your screen in a secure and private virtual environment. 

Your clinician will listen, advise and provide you with information about the next steps in your care, such as follow-up appointments or arranging of tests. If you need a prescription, it can be mailed to you, sent to a nominated chemist or collected at the hospital pharmacy.

How will I know that my appointment is by video?

We will let you know either by letter or by SMS that your appointment is by video. If you have any questions about your appointment, please ring Outpatient Appointments on (03) 8345 3032.

I don’t want a video appointment – what should I do?

If you don’t want to have your appointment via video call, you can contact Outpatient Appointments on (03) 8345 3032 to discuss alternatives. A face-to-face appointment might not be possible, but a phone call could be an alternative. If your clinician has requested a video call, then this is our recommendation for you.

Can I bring my partner or support person to the video appointment?

Yes, you are welcome to have your partner or support person with you on the video call. Please advise your clinician  that you have someone with you. In some cases, your clinician may need to discuss sensitive topics, and may request that you are alone on the call at that time. Unless prior written agreement is given, you cannot record your video appointment.

Will my appointment run on time?
  • Like any appointment, there can be a wait. Your clinician will connect with you as soon as they can, so please be patient.
  • Please make sure your phone is charged and nearby – many video appointments are delayed or disrupted due to flat-battery issues.
How will my privacy and confidentiality be ensured?
  • Before you join the video call, you will be required to enter a few details (name, date of birth etc). This ensures that the appointment is with the right person. Your clinician will also verify these details with you when they join the call.
  • The Women’s does not record any video appointments. You must not record the appointment either unless you have obtained a written agreement before the appointment.
  • You can only use the video call service if you have a confirmed appointment with your clinician. You cannot access the service without an appointment.
What if I have technical difficulties or the call is cut off?
  • To reduce the chances of your device running out of battery during the call, please have your charger nearby, and charge your device before the call.
  • If you are cut off during your video appointment, your clinician will try to reconnect with you by telephone. Our call will display on your phone as an 'unknown number', please accept the call.
  • See ‘Troubleshooting’ in Downloads and Related Topics
Where can I find further info?

Check the Downloads section for tip sheets (available in multiple languages).