New Ways
Frequently Asked Questions
Patient Focussed Booking (PFB)
We use Patient Focussed Booking (PFB) and in discussion with the patient the agreed date may not always be the first two dates available. Should there be any period of unavailability recorded?
Where a number of dates are offered within a set time period, as used in Patient Focussed Booking, this would be considered as a reasonable offer and no unavailability would be recorded. But, if all dates within the time period were declined, the patient has refused the reasonable offer and the clock should be reset to zero from the date the offers were rejected.
What should we record when a patient fails to respond to a PFB invitation?
Where Patient Focused Booking (PFB) is used, the patient should be allowed two weeks to respond to initial invite to contact hospital. If the patient has not been in contact after two weeks, the waiting clock stops, the patient is recorded as being unavailable and a reminder letter should be sent to the patient.
The unavailability is recorded with a start date fifteen days from the date the original invitation letter and a review date should be set for fourteen days. The type of unavailability is ?No response to offer?.
The waiting clock restarts when the patient makes contact and appointment date is arranged.
If the patient fails to respond by the review date, he or she may be referred back to the GP if clinically appropriate, or a new review date should be sent.
Jane Goodall
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