What is a Telemedicine Clinic?
A Telemedicine Clinic is a way of using technology to deliver healthcare at a distance. The BBS clinics service at St Thomas' Hospital use the Attend Anywhere platform for video consultations.
What is Attend Anywhere?
Attend Anywhere is a website used to connect clinicians and patients using video. You will need to have access to a smartphone or computer with a webcam, and have a good internet connection.
Who can use the service?
Your BBS team will discuss the option of having your consultation via video if it is suitable for your care.
How will I be invited to take part in a Telemedicine Clinic?
St Thomas’ Hospital will send you an appointment notification by text or email. Your text message or email notification will tell you that your appointment will be a video consultation. It will also state the date and time of your appointment.
Who will be taking part in the Telemedicine Clinic?
Doctors from your regular BBS specialised clinic will take part in the clinic. A clinical nurse specialist and Angela Scudder from BBS UK will also join.
How can I prepare for the Telemedicine Clinic?
There are a few things you can do to help you prepare for the clinic
- Check and make a note of your weight
- Put together a list of your medication
- Make a note of any new health professionals involved in your care
- Make a note of any questions or concerns you may have
- Decide if you would like anyone with you to support you during the clinic. During this period of isolation, this will need to be someone within your household
How does the service work?
If you agree to having your appointment via video, you will receive reminders for these appointments via text message. These messages will contain the link to your virtual waiting room on Attend Anywhere. When it is time for your appointment, go to the link in the text message. After you click the
‘start video call’ button, you will be asked to enter your name, date of birth, and a contact phone number. You will not be asked for any other information.
What do I need to make a video call?
- A good connection to the internet. If you can watch a video online (for example YouTube), you can make a video call.
- A private, well-lit area where you will not be disturbed during the consultation.
- One of these:
- Google Chrome web browser on a desktop or laptop, or an Android tablet or smartphone
- Safari web browser on an Apple iMac, MacBook, iPad or iPhone.
- Web-camera, speakers, and microphone already built in-to laptops or mobile devices
Is it secure?
Video calls are secure. Your privacy is protected. You have your own private video room that only you and authorised clinicians can enter.
How much internet data will I use?
You don’t use any data while waiting for a clinician to join you. A video call uses a similar amount of date to Skype or FaceTime
How to get started
- Click on the link in your text message.
- Click on the ‘Start video call’ button and follow the instructions.
- You wait in your own private video room. Your healthcare provider can see you arrive in the waiting area queue. None of the other patients will be able to see you or any of your details.
- Your healthcare provider will join you in your video room when they are ready.
- You can see the clinician and they can see you. You will not have to type your responses to any questions.
- At the end of the appointment, the clinician will disconnect the call and the web page will close. If you would like to leave the call before this point, click ‘End’ in the top right-hand corner.
What happens if my connection drops out?
You should try to make sure there is a good quality connection (through Wi-Fi, 4G or wired connection) before starting the call, although this cannot always guarantee a perfect connection. If the connection drops mid-consultation, the clinician will try to reconnect. If this cannot be done via video, they may attempt to call the mobile number we have on your record. Please make
sure the contact details we have for you are kept up to date.
How is my data used?
No part of the Attend Anywhere online video consultation will be physically recorded or permanently digitally stored. The medical outcomes of the consultation will be recorded and stored as a permanent part of your patient records held by the hospital. This happens in the same way as for face-to-face or telephone consultations. Some personal information is stored on the computer being used, and you need to be aware of this - particularly if you will be using a public or shared computer. If you are receiving a video call on a mobile phone this is only as secure as any other phone call on that mobile network.
What happens after the Telemedicine Clinic?
You will receive a clinic summary letter and a copy will also be sent to your GP and other health professionals involved in your care.
What if I have further questions after the Telemedicine Clinic?
You can contact your BBS UK Patient Liaison Officer, Angela Scudder on 07591 206788
Your feedback is important to us!
As part of our contract with NHS England, we are required to independently evaluate the specialised multi-disciplinary clinics. In support of this, please CLICK HERE to complete a questionnaire about your experience at the GSTT Telemedicine BBS clinic.