Patient Initiated Follow-up (PIFU) for Physiotherapy for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (Including: Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Urinary Incontinence &  Urinary Urgency)

Nikki Harrison

  • Reference Number: HEY1386/2023
  • Departments: Gynaecology, Physiotherapy
  • Last Updated: 30 September 2023
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Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general information. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet.

If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team.

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

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

How does PIFU work?

You have been given this leaflet because your physiotherapist is happy that you do not need to see them again unless you have a problem.

When should I call for a PIFU?

You can call to make an appointment if you

  • are not improving
  • have worsening symptoms

Please note, you can only initiate a PIFU appointment for the specific condition you were originally referred to the Physiotherapy service for.

When should I not use PIFU?

  • If your concern is related to different 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 specified timeframe, the PIFU will expire and you will be discharged back to the care of your GP/Consultant.  We will not contact you to book a PIFU appointment – it must  be initiated by you.

Booking a PIFU follow up appointment:

  • Call the Physiotherapy department on Tel: 01482 674880 (Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm – excluding bank holidays if there is no answer please leave a message and we will get back to you).
  • State you are on a PIFU pathway and require an appointment.
  • Agree an appointment date and time.
  • Attend your telephone or face-to-face appointment.

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the Physiotherapy Department on Tel: 01482 674880.

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.

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