Patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) appointments—dermatology

What is a patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) appointment?

You have received this leaflet because your clinician has determined that your condition is stable and believes you are suitable for a PIFU. This approach allows you to manage your condition independently and contact the service for an appointment if you feel it is necessary. The length of your PIFU period will be agreed with your clinician and is indicated in the clinic letter you received on the day you were placed on PIFU.

The PIFU service helps reduce unnecessary hospital visits and gives patients with chronic skin conditions direct access to the dermatology team without needing to go through their GP.

When you are placed on a PIFU pathway, both you and your GP will be informed in writing. Please be assured that your care remains our top priority, and this change will not affect your treatment.

What happens if I am placed on a PIFU?

If you agree to a PIFU, you will no longer receive routine follow-up clinic appointments. Instead, you will have the option to contact the department directly to arrange a follow-up appointment if needed, within the time period agreed with your clinician.

At the end of the agreed PIFU period, you will automatically return to the care of your GP.

For any other concerns, or if you feel unwell, your GP will remain your main contact.

How do I activate my PIFU appointment?

Booking a PIFU appointment is simple. Just call or email:

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

• chelwest.dermatology@nhs.net
• 020 3315 4007

West Middlesex Hospital

• caw-tr.westmidadmin6@nhs.net
• 020 8321 5473

Please have the following information ready when you contact us:

• Full name
• Hospital number (found at the top of all your hospital letters)
• Date of birth
• Daytime contact number

The department will normally respond within two working days and will book you an appointment within two weeks. We will do our best to arrange for you to see your usual clinician, though this may not always be possible. To ensure we can stay in touch with you, please inform the department if your contact details or address change.

Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS)

If you have concerns or would like to give feedback about services, care or treatment, you can contact the PALS office on the Ground Floor of the hospital, just behind the main reception or complete a feedback form.

We value your opinion and invite you to provide us with feedback.

Chelsea site
T: 020 3315 6727
E: chelwest.cwpals@nhs.net

West Middlesex Site
T: 020 8321 6261
E: chelwest.wmpals@nhs.net