• Reference Number: HEY1670/2026
• Departments: Therapies
• Last Updated: 30 September 2026

Information for Orthotic Patients Using a Helmet

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about your treatment. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team caring for you.

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

A patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) means that we will not routinely book you an appointment, instead we are putting you in control of making your own appointments at a time when you need them most, within a ……………. period.

What is a Helmet?

A protective helmet orthosis is a device designed to provide protection to the skull from injury.

Why do I need PIFU

How does PIFU work?

• You have now been provided with a helmet to meet your conditions needs.
• Helmets will last different lengths of time for different patients; the length of time your helmet lasts will depend upon your condition and activity levels.
• During your PIFU period we ask that you keep your helmet in the best condition possible, regularly cleaning with warm soapy water, which will help maintain hygiene levels and prevent build-up of odour.
• You will now be placed on an open review system, where you will be welcome to contact the department for a further appointment as and when you need to. Your referral will last ……….. and expire date…………

Can there be any complications or risks?

When should I call for a PIFU?

• Treatment aims no longer being met. The reason we provide you with a helmet is: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

If the helmet we have provided is no longer meeting the treatment aims, please call the department to arrange a face-to-face appointment.

• Your helmet orthosis has caused rubbing or blistering. Please contact the department to arrange a face-to-face appointment.
• You feel the helmet has now worn and no longer provide support. Please contact the department to arrange a face-to-face appointment.
• Your helmet has broken or is not fitting correctly. Please contact the department to arrange a face-to-face appointment.
• Your helmet orthosis needs repair. Please drop your helmet into the department for repair.

When should I not use PIFU?

• If your concern is related to different injury/condition
• If the specified time period has lapsed, please contact your GP.
• If you need urgent medical advice you should contact your GP or NHS111.

What if I don’t need a PIFU follow-up appointment?

• You do not have to arrange an appointment if you feel it is not required. If you don’t contact us to book an appointment within ……………., the PIFU will expire, and you will be discharged back to the care of your GP.  We will not contact you to book a PIFU appointment – it must be initiated by you.

What happens afterwards?

Booking a PIFU follow up appointment:

Call the Orthotics department on Tel: 01482 605317 (Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm – excluding bank holidays)

State you are on a PIFU pathway and require an appointment

Agree an appointment date and time

Attend your face-to-face or telephone appointment

You or your parent/guardian can make an appointment to see us if you have any concerns related to your specific injury/condition until:

Date:

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the Orthotics Department on Tel; 01482 605317.

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.