What is patient initiated follow-up appointment?

Patient initiated follow up puts you in direct control of your care, following initial treatment. Here, your clinician will:–

• Discuss your condition or procedure with you, as well as any symptoms that are a cause for concern
• Advise you on how to contact the service directly
• Give you a separate period of time to contact the service. After this period, your GP will be informed, and you will need to return to them

Why and when should I contact the service?

You should contact us via email or on the telephone number above to arrange an outpatient appointment if you develop symptoms.  Symptoms will be dependant on your condition/treatment and will have been discussed with you, however include:

Condition/Treatment for…	Symptoms to look out for
Fissure-in-Ano treatment (GTN / Diltiazem, Botox, Sphincterotomy)	·         Continuing pain on defaecation ·         Bleeding on paper more than once per week after treatment course finished (8 weeks) ·         Recurrence of perianal symptoms
Low Fistula-in-ano treatment	·         Discharge/bleeding or cyclical perianal pain beyond 8 weeks after treatment
Post-haemorrhoidectomy	·         Pain, bleeding, discharge more than 2 months post-procedure
Post incision & drainage abscess (perianal, pilonidal)	·         Failure to heal, ongoing discharge or pain beyond 2 months
Post conservative treatment of Anal Fissure/ Pruritis / Haemorrhoids including banding	·         Persistent symptoms despite adherence to conservative measure

If you have concerns please get in touch with the hospital via email / telephone as set out above.

Patient initiated follow up gives you direct access for review by a clinician should this be needed. If required, this will be a routine follow up appointment. If no contact has been made within the agreed timeframe you will automatically be discharged back to your GP.

---