Patient initiated follow-up

We’re changing the way we deliver outpatient care to better suit you.

We’re putting you in control and giving you more choice over how and when you access your care so it’s easier and more convenient to receive specialist care in a way that better suits your lifestyle and preferences.

Many patients with long term conditions, or following hospital treatment, do not always need follow-up appointments at routine intervals.

Instead, some patients will be offered 'patient initiated follow-up' appointments (PIFU for short). This is where you can arrange a follow-up appointment as and when you need it, for instance when your symptoms flare up or if your circumstances change.

This means you avoid unnecessary appointments, saving you time, money and stress and means better access to follow-up care when you do need it.

The approach is similar to ‘open access appointments’ which you may already be familiar with.

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, they will ask you to arrange your appointments in this way in future.

Find out more at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/outpatient-transformation-programme/personalised-follow-up/