Some patients will be offered a patient initiated follow up (PIFU) appointment. This  will allow you to arrange your own appointment if you need advice on new or worsening symptoms related to your condition.

This is an alternative to a routine appointment which is a pre-scheduled in advance.

How does it work?

If PIFU is a suitable option, your healthcare professional will discuss your condition with you before adding your name to the PIFU appointment list. You can then contact the service directly to arrange a follow-up appointment if you feel you need it. 

You will be given a guide card showing the symptoms to look out for to help you decide whether you need to make an appointment. If you experience any problems with your condition, or complications after treatment, please use the information on this guide card to contact the service. 

You will also be told how long you will stay on the PIFU waiting list as determined by your clinical condition. If you do not need to see the doctor or nurse about your condition within the specified period after your last appointment, you will be discharged back to your GP who will re-refer you if you need to be seen again in the future.

Between patient and clinician, face-to-face or virtual

Shared decision made to use PIFU.

Info given to patient on how and when to use service

Clinician sets a time period, after which patient is automatically discharged.

Patient can request PIFU appointment before that date if needed.

Regular appointments scheduled.

Patient can request PIFU appointment in-between if needed.

Why have we introduced this new type of follow up?

PIFU offers a number of benefits:

  • PIFU puts you in control of your own outpatient follow up. Appointments can be made based on your individual needs instead of pre-scheduled intervals. 
  • It reduces the number of patients having to spend time and money attending appointments. 
  • Freeing up appointments helps to reduce waiting times for other patients.
  • It will help us to cut down our carbon footprint by reducing the number of unnecessary journeys made to our hospitals