We are now offering patient initiated follow up to some patients who have been identified by their doctor or nurse as someone who may be suitable for this type of follow-up.

What is patient initiated follow up?

Patient initiated follow up (PIFU) appointments can help reduce unnecessary visits to hospital, reduce patient waiting times and allow healthcare professionals to see more patients in a timely manner.  PIFU means you can arrange an appointment for yourself based on your individual symptoms, and receive guidance when you need it. This is an alternative to a routine follow-up appointment, which can be a source of stress and expense, and which you may not always find helpful unless you have a specific concern you wish to discuss withy our healthcare professional. 

How does it work?

If PIFU is suitable for you, your healthcare professional will discuss your condition with you and offer you a PIFU. This means instead of being given a routine follow-up clinic appointment, you will be able to arrange a follow-up appointment if you feel you need it.  Your healthcare professional will advise on any symptoms you need to watch out for, or the circumstances for which you should make an appointment. This will be documented in the letter you are sent after your appointment, along with how long your PIFU will last. 

There are two types of PIFU:

  1. PIFU with Clinical Review

This type of PIFU is suitable for patients who cannot be discharged. It gives you the choice of booking an appointment within the specified period and if you do not need to see the doctor or nurse about your condition during that time, an appointment will be booked for you by the hospital at the end of the specified period.

  1. PIFU with Non-clinical Review (Discharge)

With this type of PIFU, if you do not need to see the doctor or nurse about your condition within the specified period, you will be discharged back to your GP who will re-refer you if you need to be seen again in the future.

How do I book a follow-up appointment?

To book an appointment, telephone our outpatient booking team on 01737 784000 (Option 1).

Please note, to arrange a patient initiated follow-up appointment you must:

  • Have been told by your healthcare professional that you have been given a PIFU.
  • Made contact within the timeframe advised by your clinician.