What is FCP?

Our First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Physiotherapists are based directly in the G.P surgeries and are highly skilled regulated practitioners. They are trained to see patients with musculoskeletal conditions that are undiagnosed and undifferentiated.

Patients presenting to their G.P surgery with a musculoskeletal condition can see an FCP as their first point of contact which helps to accelerate their musculoskeletal assessment, diagnosis and (if appropriate) investigations and onward referrals. As well as Improving the patient journey and access to the required care this saves time and resources in primary care by freeing up G.P appointments.

The core principle of an MSK First Contact Practitioner service is that the patient sees the most appropriately skilled healthcare professional, in a primary care setting, as their first point of contact.

The benefits of FCPs;

• Faster access to MSK care
• Longer more in-depth appointments
• Reduced waiting times
• Reduced inappropriate referrals to other NHS departments
• Higher quality of care

Referrals

Direct referrals are accepted from AHP Suffolk Physiotherapists.

General Practitioners (GP) and First Contact Practitioners (FCP) can make referrals via the MSK Single Point of Access (SPOA) found on DXS.