Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU)

Patients who regularly receive treatment for a long-term condition, or require a series of follow up appointments after hospital treatment, can now book their own follow-up appointments as and when required.

This is called ‘patient-initiated follow up’ or PIFU for short.

PIFU supports patient self-management, allowing them to have a bit more flexibility in when they are seen, as sometimes routinely scheduled appointments can fall at inconvenient times and cause unnecessary expense.

If you are eligible for PIFU, the healthcare professional responsible for your care will discuss this option with you and will add your name to the PIFU appointment list.

How does PIFU work?
The Healthcare professional responsible for your care needs to add your name to the PIFU appointment list. Once you are on the PIFU appointment list, you will be able to contact the service directly to arrange a follow-up appointment when it suits you best.

 

Once you are on the list, your healthcare professional will guide you on what symptoms to look out for that would indicate you should make a PIFU appointment. For example, they may say, if you have a temperature, or if you are having nausea, then you must book a PIFU appointment.

 

The appointment might not take place at the hospital. For example, it could take place as a telephone call or video call. Your healthcare professional will discuss this with you nearer the time.

 

Depending on your condition, you may not stay on the PIFU appointment list forever. If you do not need an appointment within the time period specified by your Healthcare professional, you will be discharged from the service and you will need to contact your GP or referring clinician to be seen again by the clinical team.

 

How do I book an appointment?

To arrange a PIFU appointment, you must:

• Must be on the PIFU list. The Healthcare professional responsible for your care needs to add your name to the PIFU appointment list.
• Once you are on the list, you can book a PIFU appointment by contacting your clinical team at the details in your appointment letter or information leaflet. If you are not able to find your appointment letter or information leaflet, please contact 0207 288 5511and ask to be put through to the appointment booking team for your clinical team.

 

You must contact us within the timeframe advised by your healthcare professional.

Why is Whittington Health introducing PIFU?
PIFU puts you in control of your own appointments and means you saves you from attending a non-essential follow up appointment. It also helps our hospital to free up appointments, and reduce waiting times for people who need an appointment - especially people who need to be seen quickly.