Referral Criteria:

Registered at one of the CHAW practices.
Over 16 years of age

What is a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Service?

The 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.

They can help by:

diagnosing and treating muscular and joint conditions
advising on how to manage condition
referring on to specialist services.