A PIFU is a Patient Initiated Follow Up. PIFU puts you in control of when you need to access outpatient follow up care. For some people with a long term condition it means spending less time attending hospital appointments, and still having access to specialist input when it’s needed.

The pathway is designed to allow you to access clinical teams when you feel you need to get help with your condition, or for example, if you have a flare up of symptoms.

This means rather than having prearranged or regularly scheduled appointments, you can access help when you need it the most.

If your condition is stable, you may not find it helpful to attend regular outpatient appointments scheduled by us. Sometimes these appointments may not result in any change to your treatment, and you’ll have spent time and energy putting arrangements in place, traveling to the hospital to attend your appointment.

Moving on to a PIFU pathway will always be a mutual agreement between you your clinician, you will be provided with information regarding triggers and symptoms and how to contact the service to make an appointment – as and when you need it.

To arrange a PIFU appointment

• You must have agreed with the healthcare professional responsible for your care that PIFU is appropriate for you and have been given the relevant information confirming you are on the PIFU list.
• You must contact us within the timeframe advised by your healthcare professional.
• You will be given an information leaflet by your clinician, this will have all the service details on, what symptoms to look out for and who to contact.
• If you feel you need an appointment you will be able to contact the service and agree on what is best to help you with your query.

What are the benefits of PIFU?

• Can save time and money traveling to the hospital
• Reduces waiting times for you
• More flexibility with the ability to speak to someone as and when you need to.

Leaflets and supporting information

PIFU patient information leaflet.pdf 196KB