Patient Initiated Follow-Up, also known as PIFU, gives you more choice over your care by allowing you to request a follow-up appointment when you need one, rather than attending routine appointments that may not be necessary.

If you have been added to a PIFU pathway, you may be able to use the NHS App to view your PIFU information and request a follow-up appointment within the agreed timeframe.

This page explains what digital PIFU is, how to access it through the NHS App, and what to do if you need help or cannot see your PIFU information.

Not all services offer digital PIFU through the NHS App. If you cannot see PIFU information in the NHS App, this may be because your service is not yet available digitally or, you have not been added to a PIFU pathway.

Important information

Please only request a follow-up appointment if you have a clinical need or concern related to the condition you are being monitored for. Requests are reviewed by the hospital before an appointment is arranged.

What you can do with digital PIFU in the NHS App

If your hospital team has added you to a PIFU pathway, you may be able to manage your follow-up care digitally through the NHS App.

Digital PIFU may allow you to:

  • View information about your PIFU pathway
  • See how long you can request a follow-up appointment for
  • Request a follow-up appointment if your symptoms change or you need clinical advice
  • Receive messages or information from your hospital service
  • If more information is available, the NHS App will take you securely to our patient portal, which is provided by Health Call. You may be asked to agree to the service’s privacy information before viewing or submitting your PIFU request.

The options available may vary depending on the hospital service and how your PIFU pathway has been set up.

How to find digital PIFU in the NHS App

Open the NHS App and go to ‘Appointments’ then under ‘Hospital’ there is ‘Patient-initiated follow-up'. If digital PIFU is available for you, you should be able to view information linked to your follow-up pathway.

You may see details such as the specialty, service name, the date your PIFU period ends, and information about how to request a follow-up.

Requesting a follow-up appointment

If you are on a PIFU pathway and your symptoms change, your condition worsens, or you have a concern related to the condition you are being monitored for, you can submit a request for a follow-up appointment through the NHS App where this option is available.

Your request will be reviewed by the hospital team. They will decide whether an appointment is needed and may contact you if needed.

Submitting a PIFU request does not automatically book an appointment. Please do not use digital PIFU for urgent or emergency medical concerns.

PIFU leaflets and messages

When you are added to a PIFU pathway, you may receive information explaining how PIFU works, what symptoms or concerns to look out for, and how long you can request a follow-up for.

Where available, PIFU leaflets and messages may be shared through the NHS App so you can view them quickly and securely. As part of our commitment to digital and accessible patient communications, you may not always receive a paper copy.

Frequently asked questions

You can download the NHS app at:

You can use the NHS App on a smartphone or tablet, or access NHS App services online through the NHS website.

You will need to log in with NHS login. Some services may require you to prove who you are before you can see appointment information.

The NHS App gives you a secure way to access your PIFU information and request a follow-up appointment if you need one. If you have been added to a PIFU pathway and want to manage this digitally, it is worthwhile downloading the NHS App.

Our patient booking teams aim to review requests for a follow-up appointment within 3 working days.

You may not see PIFU information if your hospital service does not yet offer digital PIFU through the NHS App, if you have not been added to a PIFU pathway, or if your PIFU period has ended. We are working to make more services available digitally and will keep patients updated as this work progresses.

Need help?

If your PIFU information looks wrong, you cannot submit a request, or you are unsure whether your symptoms should be reviewed, please use the contact details on your PIFU leaflet.

If you need help using the NHS App, visit NHS App help on the NHS website or ask someone you trust to support you.

Urgent medical help

If you need urgent medical help, use NHS 111 online or call 111. In an emergency, call 999.

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