Patient Initiated Follow-up

How does Patient Initiated Follow Up work?​

1. At your appointment, your clinician will discuss Patient Initiated Follow Up with you and decide if this is the right next step for your child. If this is appropriate for your child, we will not plan on seeing you again unless you book an appointment with the service.
2. We will send you a clinic letter and a text message after your appointment containing details of which symptoms to look out for and how to contact the service if you feel you need to be seen again. This will also show the date when your Patient Initiated Follow Up period is due to end.

If you think your child needs to be seen again

3. You call Sheffield Children’s on the number in your last clinic letter, and ask for an appointment
4. Sheffield Children’s sees your child for an appointment
5. Your clinician decides what happens next about your follow-up period. It may be placed back on Patient Initiated Follow Up, or your child may be moved to a standard follow-up schedule.

If you don’t think your child needs to be seen again

If you have not booked an appointment with the service by the end of the period written in your letter, Sheffield Children’s will hand your care back to your GP.

Who should I call if I need to arrange an appointment?

If you need to arrange an appointment please call 0114 305 3691, unless you require one of the following specialties:

• Burns: 0114 271 7392
• Dietetics: 0114 271 7212
• Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy: 0114 271 7227
• Psychology: 0114 271 7296
• Sleep nurses: 0114 305 3139

What are the benefits of Patient Initiated Follow-Up?​

✔  Patient Initiated Follow-Up allows you to let us know if you feel you need to be seen again.
✔  It could mean you don’t need to come for appointments as often.
✔  It reduces the amount of time you and your child have to travel, take time out of work and school, and what these regular trips may cost you. 

How long will I wait for a Patient Initiated Follow-Up appointment if I need one?​

When you call to arrange a follow-up appointment, the team will aim to book you an appointment within 6 weeks’ time.

What if I need to be seen urgently?​

If you need to be seen urgently (within the next few hours or days) you should contact NHS 111, your GP or go to your nearest Emergency Department (A and E).

Patient Initiated Follow-Up is not appropriate if you need to be seen urgently.

Does Patient Initiated Follow-Up apply to all the departments that look after me?​

No, this will only apply to the department that placed you on Patient Initiated Follow-Up.

Do I have to agree to Patient Initiated Follow-Up if it’s being offered to me?

If you don’t feel that Patient Initiated Follow-Up is right for you, share how you feel with your clinician so that you can talk this through together.