A new First Contact Physiotherapist service is now available to you at a local Practice.
A First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) is an experienced, fully qualified and senior Physiotherapist, who specialises in musculoskeletal problems.
The role of an FCP is to work as part of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team, and be available to assess, diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment or referral for musculoskeletal (MSK) problems, without a patient being required to see a GP in the first instance.
The local FCP will therefore speed up a patient’s access to care and ultimately progress the management of MSK conditions by being able to refer patients to an appropriate treatment pathway, such as further investigations or a course of physiotherapy, whilst also offering self-management advice and rehabilitation exercise programmes.
Patients with MSK conditions can be booked in to see an FCP by a GP receptionist, or GP.