Appointments

We've introduced video appointments to help us carry on seeing patients during the current coronavirus outbreak.

Visit our AttendAnywhere page to find out more about this system that offers a web-based platform that allows us to offer secure video appointments to our patients.

To help reduce elective waiting lists, from 31 October NHS trusts are contacting patients who have been waiting more than 40 weeks for treatment, and don't have an appointment date within the next eight weeks, to have a conversation about whether they could be seen more quickly at a different hospital.

This won't apply to everyone and some people might not be eligible because of their specific clinical needs. 

Please don't contact your GP practice or our hospital about this offer - if you are eligible then you'll receive a letter or a text message letting you know what to do next if you'd like to explore your options.

 

Many patients with long-term conditions, or following hospital treatment, are asked to meet with their clinical team regularly. However, those follow-up appointments don’t always need to be at routine intervals, but just when the patient needs them.

That’s why we have launched “patient-initiated follow-up” appointments (PIFU for short). This type of appointment allows you to arrange a follow-up appointment for you, or someone you care for, only when you need it. This is an alternative to a routine follow-up appointment, which can sometimes be inconvenient, stressful and an unnecessary expense.

If PIFU is available and suitable for you, the healthcare professional responsible for your care will discuss this option with you and if you are happy, will add your name to the PIFU appointment list.

Your care is, and always will be our top priority and this will not affect you in a detrimental way.

How it works

Once the healthcare professional responsible for your care adds your name to the PIFU appointment list, you will be able to contact the service directly to arrange a follow-up appointment only when you feel you need it. Your healthcare professional will tell you what symptoms or complications to look out for that would indicate you should make an appointment. This follow-up may be at the hospital, or a telephone/video appointment. Your healthcare professional will discuss this with you nearer the time.

You will be told how long you will be on the PIFU list, as this will be determined by your clinical condition. If you do not need an appointment within this specified time period, you will be discharged from the service and you will need to contact your GP or referring clinician to be seen again by the clinical team.

How do I book an appointment?

It is quick and easy to book a PIFU appointment when you need one, just contact your clinical team using the details in your PIFU information leaflet.

To arrange a PIFU appointment, you must:

• Have agreed with the healthcare professional responsible for your care that PIFU is suitable for you and have been given the relevant information confirming you are on the PIFU list.
• call about an issue related to the condition that you are on and are on the PIFU list (not a different condition/issue)
• contact us within the timeframe advised by your healthcare professional.

When not to use PIFU

If you need urgent medical advice you should contact your GP or NHS 111, or if you are really unwell, your local emergency department (A&E).

For all other concerns not related to the condition that you are, or if you are feeling unwell, your GP remains your first point of contact.