What is Patient initiated follow-up
Patient initiated follow-up, or PIFU for short, is a type of outpatient appointment that allows patients to arrange follow-up appointments with their clinicians as they are required rather than attending a scheduled routine follow-up which are often unnecessary.
Why are we introducing this new type of outpatient pathway?
Being placed on a PIFU pathway gives patients direct access to arrange follow-up appointments with their service if and when they feel they are required and without having to re-contact their GP. This gives patients control over their own health and care and avoids the often unnecessary travel, expense and inconvenience of routine follow-up appointments.
Which types of patients and conditions is PIFU suitable for?
PIFU is for patients with chronic conditions, patients who may require post treatment review or form part of a patient’s long-term monitoring of their condition.
How long is a patient on a PIFU pathway?
The duration of a PIFU pathway can be for a defined period using the latest clinical guidelines and research or at the consultants’ discretion. This can be for a defined period, such as 6 or 12 months, or for a period based on the patients’ needs.
How do patients contact their clinicians?
Clinicians will explain what PIFU is during an outpatient appointment and give the patient an information leaflet with contact details to use to initiate a follow-up appointment. The clinician will explain when the patient should get in touch, such as a change in their condition or reoccurrence of symptoms for example, and how quickly they should be seen by.
Contact details
Cumberland infirmary Switch board; 01228 523444 Extension: 14211
West Cumberland Hospital Switchboard: 01946693181 Extension: 23219
What is Patient initiated follow up (PIFU)?
Patient initiated follow-up, or PIFU for short, is a type of outpatient appointment that allows patients to arrange follow-up appointments with their clinicians as they are required rather than attending a scheduled routine follow-up which are often unnecessary.
Why are we introducing this new type of outpatient pathway?
Being placed on a PIFU pathway gives patients direct access to arrange follow-up appointments with their service if and when they feel they are required and without having to re-contact their GP. This gives patients control over their own health and care and avoids the often unnecessary travel, expense and inconvenience of routine follow-up appointments.
Which types of patients and conditions is PIFU suitable for?
PIFU is for patients with chronic conditions, patients who may require post treatment review or form part of a patient’s long-term monitoring of their condition.
How long is a patient on a PIFU pathway?
The duration of a PIFU pathway can be for a defined period using the latest clinical guidelines and research or at the consultants’ discretion. This can be for a defined period, such as 6 or 12 months, or for a period based on the patients’ needs.
How do patients contact their clinicians?
Clinicians will explain what PIFU is during an outpatient appointment and give the patient an information leaflet with contact details to use to initiate a follow-up appointment. The clinician will explain when the patient should get in touch, such as a change in their condition or reoccurrence of symptoms for example, and how quickly they should be seen by.
Contact details
Cumberland infirmary Switchboard - 01228 523444 Extension: 14211
West Cumberland Hospital Switchboard - 01946693181 Extension: 23219
Confidentiality
‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.
For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:
Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961
Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:
pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818
If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:
complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302