During your outpatient appointment, your healthcare professional will advise you on the next steps of your treatment.
Some patients will be offered a ‘patient initiated follow up’ appointment (PIFU for short).
You can arrange an appointment for yourself based on your individual symptoms and receive guidance when you need it.
This is an alternative to a routine follow-up appointment which can be a source of stress and expense, and which you may not always find helpful unless you have a specific concern you wish to discuss with your healthcare professional.
How does it work?
If PIFU is suitable for you, your healthcare professional will discuss your condition with you and add your name to the PIFU appointment pathway.
Your healthcare professional will then advise on the symptoms you need to watch out for and inform you have to contact the service if an appointment may be required.
You will also be told how long you will stay on the PIFU appointment pathway as determined by your clinical condition.
If you do not need to see a consultant or nurse about your condition within the specified period after your last appointment, you will be discharged back to your GP who will re-refer you if you need to be seen again in the future.
How do I book a follow-up appointment?
Please call the rheumatology patient advice line where your call may be triaged for a nurse in the first instance who may be able to provide you with an advice or arrange for a follow up appointment to be booked.
Rheumatology patient advice line: 01642 854756