First Contact Physiotherapy Service

We are pleased to announce that we are offering First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) Service in our surgery now. This service will allow patients to receive input from an expert in the first instance.

This is a service for patients 16 years and above who have a musculoskeletal problem such as:

• Back pain, neck pain, and spinal pain
• Joint and muscular pain (e.g. in the shoulder, knee, or hip)
• Soft tissue injuries (e.g.sprains, strains, or sports injuries)
• Osteoarthritis
• Nerve-related symptoms (e.g. sciatica, pins and needles)
• Tendon problems (e.g. tennis elbow, carpal tunnel)
• Joint injections

What is a musculoskeletal First Contact Physiotherapist?

First Contact Physiotherapists are accredited health professions who have advanced skills necessary to assess, diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment or referral for musculoskeletal (MSK) problems on a patient’s first contact with healthcare services e.g. when they visit their GP surgery. If appropriate, an FCP may prescribe a programme of exercises, refer for blood tests or X-ray/US scan/MRI scan, administer steroid injections, or refer a patient to an appropriate secondary health service like rheumatology or orthopaedics.

All FCPs are trained to identify ‘red flag’ symptoms which may require medical attention.

How do I access the service?

Patients with MSK complaints can request an appointment by submitting an online form.

MSK Pathway redesign:

The introduction of First Contact Physiotherapist (FCPs) is redesign of the MSK pathway. It should not add further steps in the pathway, but rather reduce the steps and speed up the time it takes for a patient to receive the services they require.