Video consultation appointments

Please watch this short video about AttendAnywhere (opens in a new tab) to help you understand how your video appointment will work.

AttendAnywhere is a web-based platform that allows us to offer secure video appointments to patients.

We have introduced video appointments to help us carry on seeing patients during the current coronavirus outbreak.

All you need is:

• An internet enabled device, like a smartphone or tablet, or a computer or laptop with webcam, microphone and speakers.
• A reliable internet connection.
• Chrome or Safari web browser.
• A quiet and private place to have your appointment.

The Cancer Patient Participation Group have also prepared a useful document for all patients to help you get the most from your consultation either by telephone or video.

Find out more information by visiting AttendAnywhere information page (opens in a new tab).

Make a test call before your appointment to check your setup.

If asked, allow your browser to access your camera and microphone. The Video call setup runs through four testing stages: microphone, camera, connection, and speaker.

Test call

Please select the clinic you are due to be seen in from list on this page.

• You will be asked to complete some checks and then directed to the clinic waiting room. 
• When you are ready to start your video appointment, click 'start video call'. 
• You will be asked to undertake your checks again. Make sure you complete all details including your date of birth and a number we can call you back on if there are any difficulties.
• Don't forget to tick the small box at the bottom of the registration screen.
• We will not store the details you submit and any details will be transferred securely.

The Addenbrooke’s Cancer Patient Partnership Group (CPPG) has listed some tips below on how to make the most of your telephone or video clinic appointment.

Before to call

1. Write down your symptoms and concerns to help you organise your thoughts more clearly and to decide what’s relevant and most important. It may be helpful to review any previous letters, results, documents, etc.
2. Write down any questions you may have.
3. Perform any agreed checks or tests that the clinician might expect well before the consultation so you are aware of any new issues and can discuss or ask about them e.g. a self-examination. If you need to have blood tests done, you may be able to have them done at your GP surgery, but check with your GP and treating team well in advance (at least a week).
4. You may wish to invite a family member to join the meeting to take notes and ask questions that may not occur to you. Remind them again before the meeting so they are ready.
5. Have the following items to hand: pen and paper, medications you are taking, previous notes or letters, glass of water and tissues, reading glasses if you need them, hearing aids if you need them.
6. Prepare to take the call at the appointed time, but be aware that the call may be slightly early or delayed.
7. Choose a quiet, well-lit and, where possible, private location. If possible consider proximity away from noisier areas of the property / your home (including bathrooms).
8. Limit distractions, secure children/pets, request household members to ‘do not disturb’. Perhaps place a sign outside the door. If not using it, turn your mobile phone to vibrate / silent.
9. Where possible designate someone else to deal with outside distractions e.g. doorbell
10. Set a reminder alarm for half hour before the meeting to remind you to set up and be ready at least 5 minutes prior to the appointment start. In the case of a video call this provides an opportunity to run through checks: clear image, lighting, appropriate volume, etc.
11. You may wish to put the call on speaker phone so that a family member / carer can also listen in – check that you know how to do this.
12. If you prefer a video call, you can ask if this is currently possible. Contact your treating team by ringing the number on your appointment slip or if you use MyChart, contact the number within Your Appointment Details.
13. For a video call, consider your attire and what you may possibly need to remove / adjust to show the clinician any relevant anatomy. You may need an additional lamp for illuminating required close up views.
14. If you have been offered an ‘Attend Anywhere (opens in a new tab)’ appointment (an NHS video appointment tool).

During the call

1. The call will be shown as “No Caller ID” with the number withheld. If you can’t pick up or get disconnected, wait for the clinician to call you back. If you haven’t heard within two hours, contact your treating team by ringing the number on your appointment slip or if you use MyChart, contact the number within Your Appointment Details.
2. If the connection isn’t clear, insist on trying to re-connect or a different phone being used, etc.
3. If you want to record the call, check that this is okay with the clinician.
4. Let the clinician know if you have the phone on speaker and who is with you.
5. Share your symptoms or main concerns at the beginning of the call. It’s important to be clear and specific, since the clinician cannot see you to get an impression. You could also ask if you can share the information before the call, via MyChart or email.
6. Take notes or ask a family member to do this for you.
7. Don’t hesitate to check your understanding by repeating back what you heard or by asking questions.
8. If blood or scan results are not available for the call, ask when they will be.
9. Ask for a summary letter to be written directly to you with a copy to your GP, including any biopsy and scan results.
10. Make sure you know and record the outcomes and have contact details for any queries that may crop up. For example, if you are being sent an exercise sheet or other literature it may not be totally self-explanatory and you may need to clarify the information.
11. Consider using BRAN to guide your discussion. What are the:
    Benefits?
    Risks?
    Alternatives?
    (Do) Nothing?

After the call

Check that the summary letter matches what you recorded and agreed. If not, contact your treating team.

If you are subsequently asked to attend in person and are shielding make sure that you and they are clear about the precautions that are necessary. Ask what the options are and choose the one you are most comfortable with.