Referrals and appointments

Your first appointment—what to expect

Referrals

The menopause clinic is a secondary care specialist service accepting referrals from within the local ICB.

 We are unable to offer email support to patients or health care professionals (HCPs) with all advice and guidance requests needing to be submitted via your GP and the electronic referral system (eRS).

Your clinic appointment

The majority of our clinics are run remotely with appointments conducted by telephone. Please make sure you make an hour free either side of your appointment as the clinic running time is affected by patient need and service demands. Your call will come from 020 3315 8000 or may be withheld. If you have call barring, divert to voice mail or don not disturb set up then you may miss the call and risk being DNA'd or discharged. 

If you prefer video calls can be made through DrDoctor. This may be requested by ringing the appointment office or the call may be converted to video when the clinician rings you. 

Face to face appointments are very limited and offered when a  physical examination is required, procedures or where there are communication difficulties.

Digital solutions at the Trust

Health questionnaires and friends and family test (FFT)

You may receive a text message prior to your appointment to complete a health questionnaire. Please submit this asap as it allow more time to discuss your main symptoms and problems and improve the quality of your consultation.

Following your appointment you will receive a follow-up text. Please complete this short 5 minute survey which will help us incorporate your feedback and experience to improve the service. 

In accordance with GDPR all responses are anonymous and cannot be traced back to yourself.

Patient initiated follow-up (PIFU)

Following your appointment will have an agreed plan of care which will be outlined in your clinic letter and to be continued with your GP. Your GP may contact us any time through the electronic patient referral system (eRS) if further advice and guidance is needed, even if you have been discharged. This plan of care is designed to improve your access to effective and timely treatment by avoiding unnecessary hospital appointments.

You may have also agreed to continue your care through a patient initiated follow up (PIFU) pathway. Please refer to your clinic letter to see the time-frame of your PIFU pathway which will between 3-12 months. You will receive a text message confirming you have joined a PIFU pathway. 

Your PIFU appointment can be requested for one of the following reasons

  • You have spoken to your GP and it has been advised to request an appointment
  • There is a deterioration of your current symptoms with an adverse effect upon your quality of life
  • You need a medication review due to side-effects, intolerance or lack of benefit

 If you have an urgent medical problem or are unwell then you need to contact your GP, 111 or attend your local A&E / Urgent Care Centre.

When is a PIFU appointment not needed?

  • Postmenopausal bleeding: you should make an urgent appointment with your GP or phone 111
  • You are feeling suicidal: contact your GP, A&E or Samaritans. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
  • A change in your health, experience new symptoms or need urgent medical advice: contact your GP or phone 111
  • Difficulty accessing your prescriptions or supply shortages—contact your GP or phone 111
  • Missing letters or results, requesting investigations—please email chelwest.gynaecology.admin@nhs.net 

 Further menopause and PMS advice and guidance

Requesting your PIFU appointment

Your PIFU plan will last between 3-12 months, depending on the time period advised by your clinician. If your condition has been stable and controlled without requiring an appointment, you will be discharged back to your GP.

Further information

Contributors
George Vasilopoulos Claire Bellone