How to prepare for a video consult

How to book a video appointment

Just like other appointments, there are three ways to book a video consult.

How to log in for a video appointment

Click here to enter our telehealth waiting room

You can use a smartphone, tablet, or computer. You will need to have either Apple's Safari browser, or Google Chrome - the program won't load with other browers.
Just like a normal appointment, it will really help if you can be waiting and ready for the appointment because it will cut down on how much of your appointment is spent just trying to get connected.
Click the link for our telehealth waiting room (see the button below!), or go to https://vcc.healthdirect.org.au/t/westsidemedicalcentre/join
Enter your details when prompted
Make sure you click 'Allow' when the program asks for access to your camera and microphone! This is the most common step where things go wrong.
Wait for your GP to join the consult!!
If you can't join the waiting room, your doctor can send you a text to invite you to the consult, but this chews up time that could otherwise be spent talking to your GP, so it's best saved as a backup.
For detailed instructions, see this factsheet

What video platform are you using? Is it private?

After trialling several different services, we have now settled on using the HealthDirect Video Consultation platform.
This is funded by the Australian Government, and uses a large, well-established health videoconferencing program called Coviu.
It does not retain any of your details, such as name or phone number
The consults are not recorded and no data is retained.
Read the Coviu privacy policy here.

How to prepare for a video appointment

Try to be prepared, with a short list of what you need to discuss. If you have booked a standard appointment, these are 15 minutes long. That gives us about 10-12 minutes to discuss your problem before we need to spend time writing notes, and ordering tests or prescriptions for you.
At the time of your appointment, try and find somewhere quiet to sit where you can hear, and be heard. Immediately prior to your appointment, your doctor will send you a with a personal link to your private video chat. Click on the link, and hey presto!
If we wait for 5 minutes and you haven't been able to log in to the video chat, we'll call on the telephone instead
Just like in real life, we are definitely going to run late sometimes. If we're a few minutes late, please be patient. If we're more than 15 minutes late, call the surgery and get our (wonderfully reliable) receptionists to check on things for you - a GP's day rarely goes to plan and there are lots of reasons why we may be running late.
If you need prescriptions, tests, or referrals to other health care professionals, we will send these on your behalf directly where they need to go.

Not all of the doctors at WMC offer video appointments. The easiest way to check is via the HotDoc app, or by calling reception.