Three specialties of our Outpatient Department have also recently launched Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU). The teams in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Cardiac Rehabilitation now support patients to manage their own care and to decide when a follow up appointment with the clinical team is needed if they experience a change in their condition or have any concerns within a six month period.  

Other specialties within the Outpatient Department are soon to offer PIFU following the successful implementation.

Find out more about the benefits of PIFU

Patient Initiated Follow Up is a way of putting the patient in control of their care. It provides patients the flexibility to see the specialist or consultant when they feel they need to or there has been a change in their condition. An agreement will be made between the patient and their specialist/consultant about the duration of the PIFU pathway and if the patient doesn’t access the service within the timeframe indicated, they will be discharged back to their GP.

  • It will help to reduce the stress and anxiety that can surround a hospital appointment
  • It can reduce the number of hospital attendances needed by patients who have long term conditions
  • Patients have more control over their care, symptoms, and appointments because they will have the ability to contact the relevant teams should they need to during the specified timeframe

  • During the patient’s appointment, they will discuss options for follow-up care with their consultant and whether they are suitable for PIFU. If the patient is suitable for PIFU, the agreement will be made for the duration of the pathway, signs and symptoms that may indicate a change to the patient’s conditions, and contact details should there be any changes
  • Should they have any symptoms or concerns while on the pathway, patients contact the service to be clinically triaged and/or have an appointment arranged
  • If the patient contacts the team and requires a follow up appointment, the patient and their clinician will discuss again whether they stay on a PIFU pathway or agree alternative arrangements
  • If the patient hasn’t needed to contact the service within the agreed timeframe, they will be discharged back to their GP