First Contact practitioner (FCP)

Forest heath PCN has commissioned Pure MSK to provide First Contact Physio appointments for you.  These can be booked directly by calling your normal GP reception or may be arranged for you after you have spoken to or seen another clinician e.g. your GP. 

What can they see?

Muscle/joint pain in any part of the body:

  • Back
  • Neck
  • Shoulder
  • Elbow
  • Hand
  • Fingers
  • Trunk
  • Hips
  • Knees
  • Ankles
  • Feet
  • Toes
  • Any injuries – sprains and strains
  • Arthritis or suspected age related changes
  • Neck/Back pain including sciatica, leg pain, pins and needles, numbness

What can they do?

You will receive a detailed assessment and treatment plan

They can organise appropriate onward referrals (see below) or investigations if needed

What is a FCP Service?

The first contact practitioner (FCP) service allows patients contacting their GP surgeries with musculoskeletal pain to be seen quickly by a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist. They will be able to quickly assess, diagnose and provide information on appropriate individualised rehabilitation and management.

Musculoskeletal FCPs form part of NHS England’s long-term plan to:

  • Reduce the burden on GPs for patients with MSK complaints.
  • Streamline the MSK pathway.
  • ‘Right person, right place, first time’.
  • Make it easier for patients to access specialist MSK knowledge and skills.
  • A Vital Role in Primary Care
  • Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions make up to a third of a GP’s caseload, and this number increases as patients get older. 85% of these patients do not need to see a GP and can be effectively managed by an experienced MSK clinician.

FCPs reduce pressure on primary care networks (PCNs) and frontline staff.

Patients have immediate access to expert MSK clinicians with full clinical governance.

Enhanced expertise, education and resources on MSK issues accessible for all PCN staff.