This leaflet provides information on ‘opting back in’ for further treatment, this is also referred to as Patient Initiated Follow-Up appointment or PIFU. This is following your intra-detrusor botox treatment at Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust for your described overactive bladder symptoms.
Patient Initiated Follow-Ups won’t be suitable for every patient, but if your care team thinks this could be right for you, they will discuss this with you. Please contact your hospital care team if you’d like more information about this service.
What are Patient Initiated Follow-Ups?
Through your Patient Initiated Follow-Up plan you can arrange a follow-up appointment with your hospital care team if you feel your symptoms are returning and you would like further Botox.
This is ONLY valid from 6 to a maximum of 24 months post treatment, and ONLY available to treat the same symptoms you had prior to your Botox treatment.
Symptoms may include;
- A sudden desperate desire to go to the toilet (urgency).
- Leaking before you reach the toilet or failing to get your clothes off in time (urge incontinence).
- Getting up more than twice at night to pass urine (nocturia).
- Passing urine more frequently during the day (frequency).
- Leaking urine when you are asleep (nocturnal enuresis).
Should the botox last less than 6 months, this treatment option is unlikely to be worthwhile moving forwards and you will need a general appointment to discuss the alternatives.
Should you also require an assessment for the onset of any new bladder symptoms, please contact your GP for a new referral to clinic.
How do Patient Initiated Follow Up Treatment work?
If your hospital care team think a Patient Initiated Follow-Up is suitable for you, they will discuss this with you, then place you on a Follow-Up plan.
This means you will need to contact the service if you feel repeat Botox treatment is required. Once initiated you will not be immediately offered an appointment, but instead added to the waiting list.
If you don’t require repeat botox treatment within the stated time period above, you will be discharged from this service back to the care of your GP. A referral back to the department will be required should this service be needed in the future.
What do I need to do?
Once the effect of Botox has worn off and you’re ready for repeat botox treatment, please contact the service within the period stated above to be added onto the waiting list for treatment.
To arrange this
Please call and ask for a ‘botox’ Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU).
Please ensure;
- You have been given a Patient Initiated Follow-Up plan.
- Your last treatment was more than 6 months ago.
- You’re contacting the service within the specified 6 – 24 month period.
- You present only with the same bladder symptoms previously authorised for treatment.