Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU)

During your out-patient appointment, your healthcare professional will advise you (and your carer if relevant) on the next steps of your treatment.
 
Some patients will be offered a 'patient initiated follow up' appointment (PIFU for short). This allows you to arrange a follow-up for yourself as and when you need it.
 
Many patients with long-term conditions, or following hospital treatment, are asked to meet with their clinical team regularly. However, those follow-up appointments don’t always need to be at routine intervals, but when you need them. This allows you to arrange a follow-up appointment for yourself, or someone you care for, only when you need it. 
 
If PIFU is available and suitable for you, the healthcare professional responsible for your care will discuss this option with you and if you are happy, will add your name to the PIFU appointment list. This may be done virtually in some instance, but always with your agreement.
 
This service helps to reduce unnecessary visits to hospital, reduce patient waiting times, reduce travel and parking costs and provide you with more flexibility for you to choose when you require an appointment.

How it works

PIFU puts you in control. You can make an appointment to see us if you have any worries or concerns rather than having a regular or prearranged clinic visit.
 
Once the healthcare professional responsible for your care adds your name to the PIFU appointment list, you will be able to contact the service directly to arrange a follow-up appointment only when you feel you need it.  Your healthcare professional will tell you what symptoms or complications to look out for that would indicate you should make an appointment. This follow-up may be at the hospital, or a telephone/video appointment. Your healthcare professional will discuss this with you nearer the time.
 
You will be told how long you will be on the PIFU list, as this will be determined by your clinical condition. If you do not need an appointment within this specified time period, you may be discharged from the service if this was the agreement made. For others there may be a review of your condition prior to being discharged.