On this page:

• Introduction
• Your feedback

Introduction

DBTH has started offering ‘patient initiated follow up’ appointments (abbreviated PIFU for short). This is where you arrange a follow-up appointment as and when you need it, rather than at routine intervals. This means you avoid unnecessary appointments, saving you time, money, causing less stress and anxiety.

If PIFU is accessible and appropriate for you, the healthcare professional in charge of your care will talk to you about it and, if you agree, your name will be added to the PIFU appointment list.

Please keep in mind that your care is and always will be our main concern, and this will have no negative consequences for you.

Patient initiated follow up puts you in direct control of your care, following your initial consultation in virtual fracture clinic. Here your healthcare professional will;

• Discuss your condition or problem with you, as well as any symptoms that are cause for concern
• You will be on a PIFU pathway for 4 months, after this time you may be advised to see your GP or attend A and E depending on your clinical need.
• Advise you on how to contact the service directly and next steps
• You will be able to contact the service should you feel you need an appointment, you will hear from the service within 48 hours, and an appointment will be made available for you over a period of around 2 weeks, depending on your pathway and clinical need.

 Your feedback

Please take a few minutes to complete the below form, your feedback is extremely valuable to us.