Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) (Health Care for Older People (HCOOP))

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

After your recent consultation or treatment, you have agreed to be placed on a Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) Pathway.

This means we will not make you regular review appointments. Instead, you can make an appointment to see your clinician or healthcare team when you need it. This will be if you have:

• a ‘flare up’

• your symptoms relating to your condition worsen; or

• if you feel that you are not recovering well.

You or your carer can make an appointment to see us if you have any concerns related to your specific condition or symptoms until:

Date: ________________________________________________

What do I need to do to book my appointment?

If you need an appointment, please phone us on one of the numbers listed below.

• Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital, Margate

  Telephone: 01843 235073 or 01843 234352

• William Harvey Hospital, Ashford

  Telephone: 01233 616740

Your appointment could be via telephone, video or face to face.

What happens if I do not ring the hospital?

If you do not ring the hospital within the timescale we have given you, you will be discharged from us back to the care of your GP or original referrer. You can contact them to be re-referred back into us later if you need to.

When should I not use this service?

• If your concern is related to a different condition or symptoms.

• If the time period stated has lapsed, please see your GP.

• If you need urgent medical advice you should contact your GP or NHS111

Further information

If you have any questions about booking your appointment, please speak to the receptionist before you leave the hospital or feel free to call us on 01843 235073 or 01843 234352.

For more information about our hospitals and services, please visit our website.