First Contact Practitioner in Physiotherapy

First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPS)

A First Contact Practitioner’s (FCP) day is very similar to other health care professionals working in the surgery practices. They work multiple sessions across various GP practices. Each session has on average a 20-minute appointment to assess, diagnose and give expert advice on how best to manage their conditions. Their primary role is as a diagnostic clinician working in GP practices to be able to assess and manage complex and undiagnosed musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. FCP roles are designed to support GPs as part of an integrated care team and to optimise the patient care by seeing the right person in the right place at the right time, and to prevent delay of diagnosis and treatment.

Seeing an FCP is different from seeing a traditional physiotherapist .The FCP does not provide ongoing physiotherapy but we would, if appropriate, refer you to the community physiotherapy service. We can also refer patients onto specialist services if necessary. FCPs can request blood tests and X rays as clinically appropriate, and in certain conditions can offer a steroid injection for pain management. FCPs can refer patients to GPs for the medical management of a patient with non-musculoskeletal problems or medication related queries

They can help you with

• Arthritis
• Muscle problems (e.g. shoulder pain, tennis elbow etc.)
• Post orthopaedic surgery
• Soft Tissue injuries
• Spinal problems or related pain including nerve symptoms (e.g. pins and needles or numbness)