Therapies – Hand Therapy – Patient Initiated Follow Up appointment

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What is a Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) appointment?

A 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 enables us to create capacity for direct access to guidance when you most need it. Most patients with stable long-term conditions do not require regular follow up appointments by the hospital team. Research has shown that the PIFU approach to care is not detrimental to your clinical care. Your therapist will decide if you are suitable for PIFU during your 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 (face-to-face, telephone or video). Where possible, we will schedule you in with the therapist you were previously under the care of. If you have not heard back from the Therapies Admin Team within a week, please call again for an update. Please note that the call operator cannot give any clinical advice.

When should I call for a PIFU?

You should call and book a PIFU appointment as per your therapist’s advice at your last appointment. This may be following a clinic review with your consultant, or your condition not improving to a level that was expected.

Please note, you can only initiate a follow up for the specific condition you were originally referred to our service for.

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

After the specific duration advised by your therapist, if you have not contacted MKUH for an appointment, you will be discharged from the service as agreed at your last appointment. A discharge letter will be sent to both yourself, your initial referrer, and your GP.

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 (Therapies Admin Hub): 01908 995411