Review and follow up In 2022, NHS England issued guidance to local systems on implementing patient initiated follow-up (PIFU), with the aim of empowering patients to take control of their care, and ensuring they are able to see a specialist sooner than planned, where necessary. 30 For patients with eczema or psoriasis, PIFU should enable them to act on a flare-up in their condition and book a timely appointment with a specialist. 31 When implemented locally, it should support patients to self-manage their condition effectively, with the knowledge they can access specialist care where and when they need it, either as an alternative to or in combination with regular review appointments. Remote consultations are also encouraged when monitoring patients with more long-term, well-controlled conditions that require routine treatment monitoring or follow-up, or as a ‘stop gap’ when a conditions flares. 32 Throughout this process, NHS England recommends that people living with long-term skin conditions should be given the knowledge, skills, confidence and support to increasingly manage their own care and live more independently. 5 NICE has shared decision-making guidelines to support this joint process in which a healthcare professional works together with a person to reach a decision about care. 33 After receiving a diagnosis, patients may find it helpful to seek support from patient support groups like the National Eczema Society, Eczema Outreach Support, and Psoriasis Association. This can include access to structured education programs to help patients better understand their condition and how to manage it, and online resources and patient-facing apps that can aid in self-monitoring and emotional/psychological self-care. 5
10
FROM NATIONAL GUIDANCE TO LOCAL ACTION
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator