Paediatric Patient Initiated Follow Up appointment

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What is a patient-initiated follow-up appointment?

At your last appointment, you will have been given the option of a patient initiated follow up (PIFU for short) appointment.

A patient initiated follow up allows you to arrange follow up appointments within the agreed timeframe between yourself and the doctor.

For example, you may have agreed a PIFU timeframe of six months from your last appointment. This means that if you need to be seen by a doctor you can call any time within that six-month period to book a PIFU appointment.

How do I book a patient initiated follow up appointment?

The service is quick and easy to use. If you feel you need to be seen, call the number on this leaflet and explain to the team that you are on the PIFU pathway and you need to be seen. The team will agree a suitable appointment date and time for you to have a consultation with a member of the Paediatric Team.

When should I call for a PIFU?

You should call PIFU appointment schedulers who will book your appointment if you want your child to be seen. Please telephone 01908 997003 Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 16:30.

Appointments will be made within six weeks of you contacting them.

Will you still be looking after me if I do not call for a PIFU?

After the agreed PIFU timeframe, if you have not contacted us for an appointment, you will automatically be discharged back to the care of your GP.

What if I am worried and change my mind about this style of management?

If you feel you wish to revert to regular hospital appointments, please get in contact with the appointment schedulers and we will arrange this for you. We understand that patients may have concerns about not having regular contact with the hospital.

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback both negative and positive; we may be in contact in the future to gain feedback on your experience using this service.

Contact Details

PIFU appointment bookings:

Appointment Schedulers: Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 16:30

01908 997003