Video Surgical Consultations
Can I have my consultation by video?
Due to coronavirus, the number of face-to-face clinic appointment slots have been reduced to protect patients and clinic staff by allowing social distancing and reducing the need for patients to travel and be exposed to hospital and clinic environments. We offer video surgical consultations for self-isolating patients, unable to or don’t want to travel and would recommend video consultation as the default first consultation.
During a video consultation, we can review any existing documents you have, take a thorough history and do some clinical examination of your shoulder and elbow and order necessary investigations. As long as you have a smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC with a webcam, speakers and microphone, we can do your video consultation. If there is a need for physical examination or outpatient treatment such as injections, we will offer you a face-to-face consultation.
After a video consultation, you and your GP will be sent a letter confirming the consultation’s details just as we do during a face-to-face consultation. Our video consultation slots are 30 minutes long, but they may be shorter for some follow-up appointments.
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Preparing for your video surgical consultation
If you are insured, please make sure your insurance company has authorised your appointment with us. Most insurance companies are allowing video surgical consultations. We will need you to send us your insurance details and authorisation code. If you have a referral letter from your doctor or therapist or any other relevant clinic letters, reports or documents, please send those to us by email before your appointment to review them. If you have had scans or x-rays at another UK hospital, please let us know so we can have them transferred before your appointment so they can be reviewed. If you have had scans or x-rays, abroad let us know to make arrangements to see how best they can be viewed.
Please test out your computer or phone equipment before your consultation and choose a quiet room for your consultation with a light source in front of you so we can see you. The room you choose needs to be private and large enough for you to be examined. Please see our video below about how to make the best of your video consultation:
Before your appointment, we will ask you to sign a video consultation consent form.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are taking steps to minimise unnecessary hospital visits for patients. In some cases, face-to-face visits may be necessary to carry out certain clinical examinations, investigations, or treatment.
In most cases however, we may be able to carry out a full consultation remotely via video consultation. We would like to have your consent for video consultation.
I hereby consent to a video consultation with Professor Mo Imam. I understand that this consultation will take place using Microsoft Teams or other suitable video platforms.
I understand that despite having a video consultation I may still be required to visit hospital for a face-to-face clinical examination, for an investigation, or for treatment.
What are the benefits and limitations of video consultations?
Video consultations have several benefits for patients:
- No need to travel or use public transport
- Reduced exposure to hospitals and other patients
- Ability to see each other face-to-face without the need for masks
- Patients no longer limited by geography, so even patients outside of London have access to surgical opinion
There are some limitations to video consultations, including the reliance on software, technology, and internet/mobile phone signals which may disrupt the talk. Some conditions, such as shoulder instability or neurological disorders, may not be thoroughly examined by video. If there is a need for further examination or outpatient treatment such as injections, we will arrange your post-investigation follow-up appointment as a face-to-face appointment.
How will tests or scans be arranged?
If we determine that X-rays or scans are needed during your video appointment, we will discuss this with you and then order these electronically. You will then receive an appointment for your Xray or scan from the imaging centre or clinic, and we will be able to review these with you at your follow-up consultation. If you are insured, please ensure that your insurance company has given authorisation for your imaging.
What if I need a prescription or sick note?
For any patients requiring medication, we have teamed up with an online pharmacy called Pharmacierge. They allow online prescriptions for most drugs and will deliver them to your door. After we submit the prescription, they will contact you for payment and to arrange delivery.
If you require a sick note, please let us know, and we can prepare one and email over to you.
Fees
For insured patients, all charges for clinic appointments with us, injections given by Prof Imam surgical fee, will be charged directly to your insurers. If your insurance policy has an excess, we will invoice you for the amount and require BACS payment (instructions contained on the invoice).
We are fee assured with all insurers, so the only shortfall should be your policy excess.
For self-pay patients, our fees for virtual clinics will be payable before your appointment.