Virtual Consultations

If you have received the link to your video consultation via text message and want to join the video consultation from a computer or tablet there are two ways to do it. One way is to sign-in to the appointment management service Portal on your computer. Here is how you can do just that:

1. Go to https://nhs.my/royalberkshire
2. Enter your personal details and click "Let's go!"
3. This will send a one-time code to your mobile phone
4. Once you have entered that into the portal, you are signed-in
5. Now find the right appointment and click on it
6. You should find a "Join video room" button on the appointment details view
7. ...and that will get you in

As an alternative, you can copy-and-paste the video link from your text message into an email and send it to yourself. Open the email on the other computer and the link will still work. This is quicker and easier if you are familiar with copy-and-pasting links.

See the onscreen mute button to check you are not muted.

Check which web browser you are using. We recommend Google Chrome for PCs and Androids and Safari for Apple devices (IOS and MAC). You can download the latest version of Chrome at www.google.com/chrome and of Safari at the Mac App Store.

If you are using the most up-to-date browser, you may want to check your computers audio settings to see which microphone you are using.

Check if other software is using you microphone e.g. Skype.

This may be because your internet connection is not strong enough. You can check your internet speed online using www.speedtest.net

Your internet connection can be influenced by other people using the bandwidth (e.g. streaming shows or making other video calls). Try moving closer to the Wi-Fi router, or asking other users to temporarily stop using the bandwidth.

Please do not try and have your video consultation on the move. The quality of the video will probably be poor, or the call will break up completely, wasting your time and your doctor's. Walking to work, on the bus or in a car are all bad places to have a video consultation.

It is worth checking you are using the right browser for your device:

On a Windows laptop or desktop computer, your video consultation will work on the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Microsoft browsers are not properly supported but you might wish to try if you have no other option.

On Android mobile phones and other devices, video consultations should work on Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

On iOS mobile phones and tablets (iPhone, iPad), your video consultation will work on recent versions of the Safari browser. At this time, it will not work on Chrome or Firefox.

If you are using the recommended browser for your device and it does not work, you may be using a very old version. We strongly recommend that you upgrade to the latest browser version, not just for the sake of your video consultation but because it will give you a better and more secure experience generally!

Video consultations are compatible with most devices. However, they may not work with some older devices.

If there are any difficulties with the video consultation your clinician will phone you on your mobile number.

Running a self-test is a quick and easy way to make sure your device is working ready for your video consultation. It only takes a couple of minutes and is the best way to ensure success.

From the waiting room you can use the "Test setup" button to access the self-test.

To test your speakers, click the "Test" button. You should hear a short chime. If you hear nothing, it may be that your computer or mobile is currently muted, or that the volume is set very low. Check this first.

If this is not the issue, you may need to change the speaker setting on your device. You might find this in Control Panel on a Windows computer, or System Preferences on a Mac. Mobile phones and tablets have similar device settings screens. This is often necessary if using earphones or a headset.

To test your microphone, speak out loud. You should see the volume indicator under "Microphone" flashing if your microphone is working.

If not, try changing your input device from the drop-down menu.

If this does not work, it may be that your web browser has not been allowed access to your mic. You will need to find the settings on your browser to rectify this.

To test your video, close the "Settings" pop-up and you should be able to see yourself in full screen while in the waiting room (or in the top right hand side of the screen if you're already in the consultation).

If you cannot see yourself as we have described above, make certain that the camera on your device is switched on and not covered by something.

If that is okay, you may need to change your input video preferences from the drop-down menu.

If this does not work, it may be that your web browser has not been allowed access to your camera. You will need to find the settings on your browser to rectify this.

Check with your doctor or the hospital first and confirm that it is okay for you to invite someone else. Imagine your appointment was at the hospital - would your doctor expect you to bring this person into the consultation room with you?

There is a limit of four people in a video consultation, including the doctor.

The link you receive is private to your video consultation. But this does mean that anyone you share it with can join the call.

To access the appointment management service portal, we need your correct details on our system. Ask the receptionist to check when you are here for your next appointment:

1. Full name
2. Date of Birth
3. Postcode
4. Mobile phone number
5. Email address

To access the appointment management service portal, we need your correct details on our system. Ask the receptionist to check when you are here for your next appointment:

1. Full name
2. Date of Birth
3. Postcode
4. Mobile phone number
5. Email address