You can see our world-leading specialists from the comfort of home
We know that travelling to our hospitals can be challenging, but we don’t want this to stop you from accessing the specialist care you need. Some of our consultants offer virtual video consultations.
Our video consultation service utilises Microsoft Teams, a secure and convenient way to speak to one of our specialists online similar to how you would in person.
Request a video consultation
If you would like a video consultation instead of a telephone or face-to-face appointment you can get in touch with our team to request one and we will check if this is a suitable option for you.
Video consultations have a range of benefits
You can:
- see and interact with your consultant in a similar way to how you would in person
- have your consultation in a place that’s convenient to you
- have your consultation via a smartphone, tablet or computer/laptop using the Microsoft Teams app or your browser
How video consultations work
Microsoft Teams is a secure web-based platform for patients with pre-arranged video consultations. Below are the steps involved in accessing the service:
- If you choose to have a video consultation, you will be sent details of your appointment by letter, email or text message.
- On the day of your appointment, a video meeting link will automatically be sent to your primary mobile number 1 hour prior to your consultation. You can access the meeting link on a smartphone, tablet, computer or laptop, providing it has a good internet connection, web camera, microphone and speakers. We advise you to test your device and internet connection ahead of your consultation.
- When you click on the link, you will be given the option to connect via the Microsoft Teams app (if you have this already installed on your device) or via your web browser – you can select either platform.
- You will then enter the virtual lobby where your consultant will join you once they are ready.
Frequently asked questions
You can access your video consultation on a smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer. You can use your device’s inbuilt microphone and camera, but some people find they get better call quality using an external headset and web camera. You will need to be connected to the internet through Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, 5G or an ethernet connection.
It’s a good idea to test your equipment before your appointment.
The Microsoft Teams platform can be accessed via a web browser and does not require any applications to be downloaded. However, you may choose to download the app to your device.
You can use either Google Chrome (for PC/Mac/Android devices) or Safari (for iOS devices and Macs).
Yes. You should let your consultant know if you have someone with you at the start of your appointment.
Through the Microsoft Teams platform, it’s also possible to invite someone else into the video consultation, even if they’re in a different location to you. If you’d like to invite a family member, carer, friend or interpreter please provide your consultant with their email address or mobile phone number at the start of your appointment. Your consultant will send them a message, with a link enabling them to join your appointment.
If you’re running late for your consultation, please call us on 0330 128 8011 (Royal Brompton Hospital) or 01895 828 696 (Harefield Hospital). If you haven’t told us you are running late and are not in the waiting area at the time of your consultation, the consultant will try to reach you on the phone number provided.
If you would like to reschedule your appointment, please call us on 0330 128 8011 (Royal Brompton Hospital) or 01895 828 696 (Harefield Hospital).
You won’t use any data while waiting for a consultant to join you on the call. A 20-minute video consultation uses about 230MB of data on a mobile device, and 450 MB on a PC or laptop.
The exact amount will depend on the connection speed, and how many participants there are on the call.
If you lose connection during your call, you will need to re-join the Microsoft Teams meeting by clicking on the link originally shared. If this doesn’t work, your consultant will try to reach you on the phone number provided.
If you already have a telephone consultation booked with us, you may be given the option to have a video consultation instead. This is entirely optional, and you can stick to a telephone consultation as originally planned, should you prefer.