Introduction

This leaflet provides information for patients who have attended an out-patient clinic at King George or Queen’s hospitals and have been offered a “patient-initiated follow-up” appointment.  It explains what this is, how it works, and provides you with the information you need to contact our service to arrange a follow-up appointment, if you need one. We hope that it helps you to feel in control of your own care.

What is a Patient Initiated Follow-Up appointment?

Patient initiated follow-up (PIFU for short) allows you to arrange follow-up appointments as and when you need them. This puts you in control of your hospital follow-up and provides you with direct access to guidance when you most need it.

How does PIFU work?

If PIFU is suitable for you, your clinician will discuss your condition with you and add your name to a PIFU list. Instead of being given a routine follow-up clinic appointment, you will be able to contact the service directly to arrange a follow-up appointment, if you feel you need it. Your clinician will tell you how long you will stay on the PIFU list, which is determined by your clinical condition.

If you do not need to see the doctor or nurse about your condition within the timeframe discussed at 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.

Why are we introducing this new type of follow-up appointment?

We are introducing this new type of follow-up because it offers a number of benefits. These include:

• PIFU puts you in control of your own out-patient follow up.

• Appointments can be made based on your needs rather than at routine intervals, which often do not add value to your care.

• If you experience a flare-up in symptoms, you will be able to receive guidance when you need it.

• Saving patients time and money they spend attending non-essential appointments. The number of people making these journeys will be greatly reduced and we hope it will improve your experience.

• Freeing up appointments for people who need to be seen, means we can reduce the waiting times for them to be seen more quickly.

• It will also help us to cut down our carbon footprint by reducing the number of unnecessary journeys to our hospitals.

What do I need to do?

If you experience any problems with your condition, have complications following treatment or your symptoms return or worsen, please contact the Neurosurgery PIFU team to arrange an outpatient appointment on 01708 503 407 ext. 3560 between 9.00am and 5.00pm, or alternatively email us at bhrut.neurosurgerysecretaries@nhs.net

When should I not use PIFU?

You should not use PIFU for medical problems that are not related to the Neurosurgery specialty and the condition you were originally referred to us for. For other conditions, your GP remains your first point of contact.