Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has deployed Patient Initiated Follow-up (PIFU) through the NHS App, in partnership with Netcall.
This development, which went live on 10 December 2025, aligns with the NHS App’s core purpose set out in the 10 year health plan to act as the ‘digital front door’ to the health service, giving patients easier and faster access to care.
PIFU allows patients to request follow-up appointments when they need them rather than being locked into routine schedules, helping to streamline outpatient pathways and reducing missed appointments.
Sally Atkinson, head of patient access at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Working with Netcall, we started by making it easier for patients to book appointments through the NHS App.
“Adding PIFU feels like the next natural step. It means patients don’t have to wait for us to call as they can reach out when they need care.
“That flexibility makes a huge difference for them as they can request appointments even when the booking lines are closed. It’s about giving people control and making the whole process simpler for everyone.”
Patients in Rotherham can now trigger their own appointments digitally, eliminating the need for lengthy phone calls or paperwork.
The move to deploy PIFU via the NHS App positions Rotherham ahead of national targets. The NHS Elective Care Recovery Plan requires at least 5% of all outpatient appointments to be on PIFU pathways by March 2029, with PIFU offered as standard in all appropriate pathways by 2026.
John Clarke, head of client solutions, health at Netcall, said: “This achievement reflects our close collaboration with NHS trusts across the country to integrate digital solutions via the NHS App.
“By embedding PIFU pathways into the NHS App, we’re helping trusts unlock efficiencies, reduce administrative burden, and deliver care that’s more responsive to patient needs.
“Our work with Rotherham is just one example of how these partnerships are driving transformation at scale.”
Meanwhile in April 2024, a diagnostic booking solution was launched at Rotherham, developed in partnership with Netcall, with the aim of improving patient access and engagement.
Netcall combined capabilities with clinical analytics specialist C2-Ai in May 2025 to enable coordinated decision between the NHS and local government, which can help ease demand on NHS services, prevent avoidable harm and A&E visits, and target community interventions.
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