Virtual appointments
What is a virtual appointment?
Depending on the needs and eligibility of your child, your child's healthcare team may give you the option to include virtual appointments as part of their care plan.
Virtual appointments allow you and your child’s clinician to connect over the internet whether you’re at home, work, school, a healthcare clinic or your local community hospital. Your child’s GP (general practitioner), allied health professional or language interpreter can join the virtual appointment, too.
Ask your child's health care provider whether they're suitable for virtual appointments.
It's always up to you and your child to decide if virtual appointments are part of their care plan. You can choose to meet our clinicians in person if that's what you prefer.
Steps to prepare
If your child is eligible, hospital staff will book a virtual appointment and provide you with a booking confirmation through SMS. Once booked, follow the steps below to prepare for your child's appointment.
After the virtual appointment is booked by team member at the hospital, confirm you have the right equipment, a good internet connection and know what to expect for the appointment.
If your child's referral expires before the virtual appointment, ask your child's GP or specialist for a new one and submit it to the hospital through our secure online platform.
10 minutes before the virtual appointment's scheduled time, collect any required information about your child's health and join the virtual waiting room with your child.
Frequently asked questions
Which clinicians offer virtual appointments?
Every clinician in the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network can provide services virtually, as long as it's clinically suitable. Speak to your child's doctor, nurse, allied health professional to find out whether they can receive your services through virtual care.
Are virtual appointments right for my child?
Virtual appointments might not always be the right choice for your child's health. Their treatment might need physical check-ups, tests, or investigations that need to be done in person.
What will it cost me for virtual appointments?
We won't charge you any fees. You may be requested to give consent for your child's healthcare professional to bulk-bill Medicare, just like you would for a face-to-face specialist appointment.
Attending virtual appointments will consume some of your internet download capacity. As a reference, a 15-minute video call uses about 80MB, and an audio-only call uses around 10MB, just like the data usage of Skype and Facetime.
If you choose to have your child's GP or allied health professional attend the appointment, ask them about any potential costs to you.
What if I need to change or cancel an appointment?
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, contact the service that organised your appointment as soon as possible. A contact number for the service will be on the email, letter or other information provided to you. You can also find service contact details in our full list of services.
Can I use my smartphone or tablet to join the appointment?
Yes, in addition to desktop and laptop computers, mobile devices like your smartphone or tablet can be used to join the appointment.
After the appointment is booked, make sure you check if your device is compatible and your internet is fast enough.
During the appointment, make sure you won't be interrupted by phone calls or messages by setting your device to Do not disturb.
Do I need to download an app to join the appointment?
No, you don't need to download a new app to join a virtual appointment. On the day, you will join the virtual appointment through your web browser. If you're not sure that you have the right web browser installed, you can check before the appointment.
Interpreter services
If you and/or your child require an interpreter to attend a virtual appointment, please let the staff know when booking. The hospital can arrange a free interpreter service for over 50 languages, including Australian Sign Language (Auslan).
Benefits of virtual appointments
Virtual appointments involve less, or no, travel time and cost. This helps ensure less disruption to your family's work, education and daily routine.
You can let staff know if you would like your child's GP, carer or other family members to attend, even from a different location as you and your child.
Our virtual appointment platform is secure, encrypted and confidential. Virtual appointments are subject to the same privacy laws as in-person appointments.
Virtual appointments are online, allowing children to talk to their healthcare provider from the comfort of home.