Instead of having regular routine follow up appointments, the Trust will support you to manage your own care and to only contact us if you have worries or concerns. This is called Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU).
This leaflet explains how you can access support and advice about your health. If you have any concerns or questions which are not answered in this leaflet, please speak to your healthcare professional.
Why am I being offered Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU)?
The reason we offer follow-up appointments via this process is because we want to give you more choice and flexibility and reduce unnecessary visits to the hospital.
This will help improve patient experience, reduce costs of travel and parking and reduce waiting times for appointments.
The service has a long waiting list for follow-up appointments. During this waiting time, you may feel you require a sooner appointment, or you may feel you don’t need an appointment at all. As explained above the PIFU system gives you the flexibility to manage your own appointments.
How does (PIFU) work?
You will have ‘open access’ to the service for a specific time period agreed by your clinician from the date of your outpatient appointment. If you are worried you have further problems related to your original appointment during this period, please contact us and a clinician will review your request and offer you a further appointment if appropriate.
Time periods for open access:
- Cellulitis and other skin infections: 4 weeks
- Other complex infections: 3 months
How will I know if I need a PIFU?
If you are experiencing a worsening of your condition
If you have concerns about your treatment or side effects
When is a Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU) appointment not appropriate?
How do I book a follow-up appointment?
Please contact the telephone number or e-mail address which was provided in your outpatient clinic letter which you will receive shortly after your clinic appointment.
Contact us
Telephone: 01642 854389
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]