In-house Physiotherapy

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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 an above 16 assessment and advice service for those people who have a musculoskeletal problem such as:

• Joint pain Shoulder pain Tendon problems
• Muscle pain Sports Injuries Knee problem
• Soft tissue injuries Tennis elbow Hip Problem
• Osteoarthritis Wrist /Hand problem Ankle/foot pain
• Trapped nerves Sciatica
• Back or neck pain- radiating arm and leg pain in absence of recent change in bowel, bladder, and sexual function (Cauda Equina Syndrome).

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 be booked in to see an FCP by a GP receptionist, GP or online.

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.