Virtual appointments by phone or video call

We can provide advice to you via AccuRX. AccuRX is a very secure system developed for use by the NHS.

Your health professional can provide advice to you via Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) video calling.

Someone from the team will arrange the MS Teams call with you. If you would prefer a different type of appointment, please let us know.

You will need to give us your email address; this will not be stored or used in anyway other than for the MS Teams call.

Your Microsoft Team appointment is treated in the same way as a face-to-face appointment:

• All your sensitive/confidential information is treated and stored securely.
• Your appointment is booked and documented in the same way.
• The appointment will not be recorded.

Receiving a Microsoft Team’s call

• Get set up at least 15 minutes before the start of the appointment.
• If using a webcam, check it is set up and connected, and that you are connected to the internet.
• Make yourself comfortable in a quiet place where you will not be overheard or disturbed.
• You will find the appointment details in your email inbox (or calendar).
• Click on Join Microsoft Team’s Meeting.

How to join a Teams call

You can join a session from any device, whether or not you have a Teams account. If you don't have an account, follow these steps to join as a guest.

1. Go to the meeting invite that was emailed to you and click on the link ‘Join Microsoft Teams Meeting’.
   That'll open a web page, where you'll see two choices: Download the Windows app or Join on the web instead. If you join on the web, you can use either Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
2. Your browser may ask if it's okay for Teams to use your mic and camera. Be sure to allow it so you'll be seen and heard in your meeting.
3. Choose your audio and video settings. Select Phone audio if you want to listen to the meeting on your mobile phone.
4. Next, you'll be given two options for joining your meeting: Join as a guest or Sign in and join. Choose Join as a guest.     
5. Type your name and tap Join meeting.

This will bring you into the meeting lobby. We'll notify the meeting organizer that you're there, and someone in the meeting can then admit you.

Please note: If no one admits you to the meeting within 15 minutes, you'll be removed from the lobby. If that happens, you can try joining again.

Using Teams tips

Video camera icon - Its always nice to see you when you join the meeting. Although not compulsory we ask that you keep your camera on for the duration of the session in able to get the most from the training and so you are able to engage with both ourselves and other participants.

Microphone icon - once you have joined and said hello would you mind muting so that we all don’t hear your background noise.

It is really important that we communicate so there are a few ways we can do this.

The hand icon - if you’d like to ask a question please use this icon to raise your hand. In smaller groups we always like to encourage open conversations however in larger groups sometimes this can be difficult to facilitate and therefore we may request you raise your hands when asking a question.

We request that you try not to take control of the presentation. This becomes very frustration for everyone as we have to go back to the beginning.

Speech bubble icon - if you have a question please click on this icon which will bring up the meeting chat. You can type a question in the chat that is in relation to that topic these can then be answered at the ends of sections. When there are a lot of questions coming in during the presentation it is very distracting to hear the notification beep.

Turn off chat beep - click on the chat, then click on three dots, then click mute.

Some of our services can support you using WhatsApp video calling.

You will need to provide your mobile phone number.

The health professional will call you using WhatsApp video calling. They will be able to see you and speak to you.

When you are called just swipe the screen up to accept the call. Your call will not be recorded.

Please note that although we can use WhatsApp for video calling we are not able to use it for texting. This is because the information that you provide over text messaging cannot be guaranteed to be secure.