Virtual appointments
Looking for virtualKIDS instead?
This page provides information on virtual care consultations offered by our hospital outpatient services.
Specific details about 24/7 clinical advice, education, and support service are available on the virtualKIDS page.
What are virtual appointments?
Virtual appointments, previously known as telehealth appointments, allow patients and their families/carers to connect to their health professional without leaving their home or community. Virtual appointments offer the same safety and quality standard as face-to-face appointments.
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. If your child is eligible, you can choose to schedule a virtual care appointment instead of an in-person appointment.
By using Healthdirect Video Call, your clinician can connect to your child and you over the internet whether you are at home, at work, at school, at your GP or your local community hospital. This video conferencing platform allows you to talk to, hear and see health professionals by using internet, cameras, speakers and monitors at both locations. Your child must attend the virtual appointment with you.
Ask your child's health care provider whether their next appointment is suitable to be via virtual care.
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.
Benefits of virtual appointments
Convenient
Virtual appointments involve less, or no, travel time and cost. This helps ensure less disruption to your family's work, education and daily routine.
Integrated
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.
Secure
Virtual appointments are secure, encrypted and confidential — they are subject to the same privacy laws as in-person appointments.
Comfortable
During virtual appointments, many children are more comfortable talking to their healthcare provider from within their own home.
About Healthdirect Video Call
The Healthdirect Video Call service is a safe, secure, simple and convenient tool for clinicians and patients to connect. Many video consultation platforms are designed for social or business purposes, whereas Heealthdirect Video Call is purpose-built for clinical workflows and settings.
The experience for both clinician and patient is designed to follow the process of attending a traditional appointment — patients check in to announce their arrival, wait in a virtual waiting room for the clinician and then the consultation begins when the clinician joins them.
Healthdirect Video Call includes a multi-way video consulting capability, making it easy to include health specialists, translators, carers and family members who are in other locations.
Clinicians, patients and other participants can access Video Call on any modern device and internet browser. It is a wholly secure environment which leaves no digital footprint from any participants.
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 doctor, nurse, allied health professional to find out whether your child can receive your services through virtual appointments.
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 to use 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.
Using 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. This is similar to the data usage of a Facetime, Google Meet or Facebook Messenger video call.
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.
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. Interpreters can join virtual care video appointments via the MyVirtualCare platform. The hospital can arrange a free interpreter service for over 50 languages, including Australian Sign Language (Auslan).