- Reference Number: HEY1619/2026
- Departments: Physiotherapy
- Last Updated: 31 March 2026
Introduction
This leaflet has been put together to give you general information, it does not replace discussion between you and the therapy team. If after reading it, you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with your physiotherapist or the therapy team.
What is a Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) pathway?
A patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) means that after being given advice on exercises and self-management for your condition, you are being put in control of when, or if, you see the vestibular physiotherapist again within a 12-month period.
For any other concerns, your GP will remain your first point of contact.
How does PIFU work?
You have been given this leaflet, because your vestibular physiotherapist is happy that you do not need to see them again, unless you have a problem. If you do have a problem within 12 months of stopping treatment, you can contact the Physiotherapy Department on Tel: 01482 626712 and they will arrange an appointment for you.
When should I call for a PIFU?
You can call to make an appointment, if: –
- you are not improving to a level that was expected.
- you have worsening symptoms (a flare up) relating to your vestibular/balance condition.
When should I not use PIFU?
- If your concern is about another condition.
- If 12 months have passed. (In this situation, please contact your GP or consultant to ask them for re-referral to the balance clinic/specialist or the vestibular rehabilitation service respectively).
- If you need urgent medical advice – contact your GP, NHS111 or attend your local Emergency Department.
What I I don’t need a PIFU appointment?
If you don’t contact us within 12 months, the PIFU will run out and you will be discharged back to the care of your GP.
Please note we will not contact you to book a PIFU appointment – it must be done by you.
| Booking a PIFU follow up appointment:
Call the Physiotherapy Department at Castle Hill Hospital on Tel: 01482 626712 (Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm excluding bank holidays) State you are on a PIFU pathway and require an appointment Agree the type of appointment (telephone or face to face), date and time you can attend with the admin team If on calling you are requested to leave a voicemail message, please leave the following: full name; date of birth; and telephone number. You, or your parent/guardian, can make an appointment to see us again if you have any concerns related to your condition until: Date: |
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 therapy 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 the 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, your information will be shared between members of the 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 or social 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.
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.
Your feedback matters to us…
To ensure we deliver a safe and quality service and to help us understand the experience you have of the care you receive from our staff we would value your thoughts about the service you received.
You may be contacted as part of our quality assurance programme which is where we visit our teams and staff and talk to them about the care they provide to our patients or at any time during or after you have needed our services.
To collect this feedback, we would contact you using the registered telephone number we hold in your care record. This feedback will be strictly anonymous and whilst we will share the feedback as part of the process, we will not share any details which may identify you.
We will never ask you any personal questions about your health during these telephone calls.
If you do not wish to speak to us, please say this when we call, we do not want you to feel pressured.
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.
