Primary Care –
Everything you need to know
Do more with Consultant Connect
Do more with Consultant Connect
Getting started with Consultant Connect
You can access the service via:
- The free Consultant Connect App
- Your surgery’s unique Dial-in Number
- Consultant Connect in your browser
Please note: services may vary by locality
Why use Consultant Connect?
There are many benefits of using Consultant Connect some of which are:
- Speak to specialist clinicians for pre-referral advice and guidance over the telephone.
- Calls are answered by a rota of specialists in under 30 seconds (UK average).
- Data-rich reports.
- Fully account managed.
Register & sign in
You’ll need to use your NHS email address to set up your account.
For support setting up your account, watch our short ‘How to sign up’ video above or email us.
Once you have created your account, you’ll be able to use the same credentials to download and use the Consultant Connect App or log in to Consultant Connect in your browser.
Please note that only devices running on an Apple operating system (iOS) of 15 and above or an Android operating system of 12 and above will support the Consultant Connect App.
Accessing the service
The quickest way to access the service is via the free Consultant Connect App.
You can download the Consultant Connect App by searching ‘Consultant Connect’ on Google Play or the App Store.
Once logged into the app, you will see a list of your available Telephone Advice & Guidance specialties.
In areas where this is enabled, via the app, you will also have access to Messaging Advice & Guidance and the IG-secure clinical photography feature, PhotoSAF.
Why use Consultant Connect?
There are many benefits of using Consultant Connect some of which are:
- Speak to specialist clinicians for pre-referral advice and guidance over the telephone.
- Calls are answered by a rota of specialists in under 33 seconds (UK average)
- Data rich reports
- Fully account managed
Register & sign in
You’ll need to use your NHS email address to set up your account.
For support setting up your account, watch our short ‘How to sign up’ video above or email us.
Once you have created your account, you’ll be able to use the same credentials to download and use the Consultant Connect App or log in to Consultant Connect in your browser.
Please note that only devices running on an Apple operating system (iOS) of 16 and above or an Android operating system of 12 and above will support the Consultant Connect App.
Accessing the service
The quickest way to access the service is via the free Consultant Connect App.
You can download the Consultant Connect App by searching ‘Consultant Connect’ on Google Play or the App Store.
Once logged into the app, you will see a list of your available Telephone Advice & Guidance specialties.
In areas where this is enabled, via the app, you will also have access to Messaging Advice & Guidance and the IG-secure clinical photography feature, PhotoSAF.
Consultant Connect in your browser
Accessing Consultant Connect in your browser allows you to view your Consultant Connect activity (calls, photos, messages).
It is beneficial for practice managers and admin teams to have access to this feature so they can view and download PID reports.
Users with admin rights can view activity across your surgery.
Accessing your Service Directory
Your Service Directory will show your surgery’s unique Dial-In Number, all available Telephone A&G specialties, and their operating hours.
To access your Service Directory, click the button below and enter your Dial-In Number.
If you don’t know your Dial-In Number, please email hello@consultantconnect.org.uk or call us on 01865 261 467.
Safe clinical photography
Clinicians use Consultant Connect via the app to take, store and share photos and files directly to specialist NHS clinicians for pre-referral advice and guidance. Photos are saved to the secure cloud and never stored on phones.
This service is ideal for:
- Remote consultations – access Consultant Connect in your browser to upload and securely share photos taken by patients or existing files
- Face-to-face consultations – a ‘patient consent’ step is built into the app, removing the need for additional paperwork
- Taking multiple images to record the history/changes to a condition over time
Consultant Connect in your browser
Accessing Consultant Connect in your browser allows you to view your Consultant Connect activity (calls, photos, messages).
It is beneficial for practice managers and admin teams to have access to this feature so they can view and download PID reports.
Users with admin rights can view activity across your surgery.
Accessing your Service Directory
Your Service Directory will show your surgery’s unique Dial-In Number, all available Telephone A&G specialties, and their operating hours.
To access your Service Directory, click the button below and enter your Dial-In Number.
If you don’t know your Dial-In Number, please email hello@consultantconnect.org.uk or call us on 01865 261 467.
Safe clinical photography
Clinicians use Consultant Connect via the app or in their browser to take, store and share photos and files directly to specialist NHS clinicians for pre-referral advice and guidance. Photos are saved to the secure cloud and never stored on phones.
This service is ideal for:
- Remote consultations – access Consultant Connect in your browser to upload and securely share photos taken by patients
- Face-to-face consultations – a ‘patient consent’ step is built into the app, removing the need for additional paperwork
- Taking multiple images to record the history/changes to a condition over time
Meet your Account Manager
Each NHS area is assigned a dedicated Account Manager who can provide bespoke service demonstrations and Q&A sessions, as well as curating tailored communication and engagement strategies to raise awareness and encourage uptake of the service.
The team also provide regular reports and insights, reviewing and refining the project strategy based on these insights and gathering feedback through surveys and case studies.
Have you got a question or just want to meet your Account Manager?
Simply complete the form and we will be in touch shortly!
80% of users would recommend Consultant Connect to
a colleague
Get rapid access to Advice & Guidance from a range of specialties through a single number or via the app
Send secure messages and / or share photos with specialists all within our app
Take IG-secure clinical photos
Earn CPD credits and download your CPD statements
Get pre-referral advice from specialists before creating referrals
Do more with Consultant Connect
Earn CPD credits
Our CPD accreditation means that learning time is recorded, and Primary Care clinicians in most areas using Consultant Connect now automatically earn CPD credits.
Reports in your browser
Accessing Consultant Connect in your browser allows you to view your Consultant Connect activity (calls, photos, messages*). Often practice managers and admin staff are granted access, so they can review practice-wide usage of the service and download relevant reports.
(available services will differ by hospital and/or locality)
Integrated with Primary Care
Our service integrates with primary care patient records saving you time and resources.
When a valid NHS number is input and an outcome is left (when applicable), if your practice administrator ‘accepts’ the PDF, Consultant Connect activity will appear in the patient’s record with a time and date stamp.
Advice & Refer
Advice and referrals in half the steps of e-RS.
Our new Advice and Refer service links our advice platform, the most used in the NHS, with the e-RS referrals system.
It’s the easiest and most seamless way to review a patient’s case and, if necessary, refer them to a clinic.
Do more with Consultant Connect
Earn CPD Credits
Our CPD accreditation means that learning time is recorded and Primary Care clinicians in most areas using Consultant Connect, now automatically earn CPD credits.
Reports in your browser
Accessing Consultant Connect in your browser allows you to view your Consultant Connect activity (calls, photos, messages*). Often practice managers and admin staff are granted access, so they can review practice-wide usage of the service and download relevant reports.
(*services available will differ by hospital and/or locality)
Integrated with primary care
Our service integrates with primary care patient records saving you time and resources.
When a valid NHS number is input and an outcome is left (when applicable), if your practice administrator ‘accepts’ the PDF, Consultant Connect activity will appear in the patient’s record with a time and date stamp.
Advice & Refer
Advice and referrals in half the steps of e-RS.
Our new Advice and Refer service links our advice platform, the most used in the NHS, with the e-RS referrals system.
It’s the easiest and most seamless way to review a patient’s case and, if necessary, refer them to a clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of our most common questions.
If you have any additional questions or need service support, please call us on 01865 261 467 or email hello@consultantconnect.org.uk
How can the service be accessed?
Is the service free?
I have forgotten my password, what should I do?
Does the service replace other Advice & Guidance (A&G) routes?
No, this service aims to provide users with additional options for quicker and more efficient access to advice and guidance. Pre-existing routes, such as email and local referral systems, will remain available.
Which specialties can be accessed and during what hours of the day?
The specialties available and the hours of operation are agreed upon by the Acute/Mental Health Trust/Hospital Teams and your local NHS commissioning organisation.
Calls will only be routed to specialists during the agreed hours of operation. Calls will not be routed to specialists outside these agreed hours, and specialists are automatically excluded from rotas during any notified holiday periods. Mobile numbers of those seeking and providing advice and guidance are never shared with users.
As well as the Consultant Connect App showing a complete list of the available specialties and their operating hours, each GP practice has a Service Directory listing this information. The Consultant Connect App and Service Directory are automatically updated whenever changes are made to the service, such as new specialties being added.
Who is responsible for the patient whose care is being discussed?
The clinician seeking the advice remains responsible for deciding what treatment is to be provided following receipt of the guidance and whether a referral or admission is appropriate for the patient.
Can I send messages for Advice & Guidance via the Consultant Connect App?
Yes, in areas where this feature has been enabled, clinicians can click on the ‘Messages’ button within the Consultant Connect App to compose and send messages to specialists.
Can I send a message for advice if I don’t have a mobile phone?
Whom should I call for help with the service?
Consultant Connect in practice
Read our GP case studies to find out how the service is being used to improve patient care.
Read our nurse case studies to find out more about their experience of using the service.
Read our paramedic case studies to find out more.
Consultant Connect in practice
Read our GP case studies to find out how the service is being used to improve patient care.
Read our nurse case studies to find out more about their experience of using the service.
Read our paramedic case studies to find out more.
Useful Links
Getting started with Consultant Connect
This short guide will help you enjoy all the features of the Consultant Connect App and browser.
Click the button below to download a copy
Welcome to our suggestion box!
We will use your feedback to further develop our services.
