This information explains ways in which you can continue to access support and advice about your health following your Cardiology outpatient appointment. If you have any concerns or questions that are not answered in this leaflet, please call the cardiology patient navigators on 020 3758 2069. Select option three, then option one. Alternatively, contact your GP surgery.

What is patient initiated follow-up?
Patient initiated follow-up (PIFU) puts you in control of your follow-up appointment. Instead of being offered regular visits, you can make an appointment to see us if you have reoccurrence of symptoms following your consultation.
You will be given ‘open access’ to the clinic for a period of 36 months from the date of your outpatient appointment. This means that if you are concerned about your condition or your medication, you can contact us and receive an appointment without having to wait for a new NHS appointment, where waiting lists might be longer.
The reason we offer follow-up this way is because most patients do not benefit from having a regular outpatient follow-up. Many patients find the follow-up visits to the hospital can cause a lot of anxiety and unnecessary disruption. By offering appointment bookings in this way, we hope to be able to respond to your needs more quickly.
What to expect
After your appointment with the consultant, you may not need to have regular scheduled appointments at the hospital. In some specific cases your consultant may book you for further procedures or want to see you in their clinic personally to discuss potential further treatments or tests that you may require. If this is the case, you will already have been told about this, and an appointment letter will be sent to you in the post.
When to book an appointment
A follow up appointment can be activated if you have a recurrence of symptoms or clinical input that cannot be met by your GP.
How to book an appointment
Please email rf.
The hospital will send you a confirmation letter with the date and time of the appointment in the post. This ‘open invitation’ is for 36 months following your appointment unless specified otherwise. After this time, you will receive a call from the service and be discharged back to your GP.
Other support available
Some patients may also wish to be in touch with the following support organisations where appropriate.