First Contact Practitioners for Primary Care

A First Contact Practitioner (FCP) is a clinical healthcare practitioner who is professionally qualified to treat patients without a referral from a GP or other healthcare professional. Within Pure Physiotherapy, FCPs are physiotherapists who deliver expert musculoskeletal (MSK) care to their patients.

An FCPs role is to work within a GP surgery, providing physiotherapy appointments for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. This service allows patients to receive immediate care from qualified physiotherapists without the need to see a GP. It also reduces the pressure on the NHS and allows patients to be seen sooner than they would normally experience.

Having the availability for physiotherapists to work alongside the GP ensures patients receive treatment efficiently and GPs have more available appointments for medical emergencies. It also means the reception staff can directly book physiotherapy appointments for the patient with an FCP, reducing the pressure on frontline staff even further. There are many benefits to an FCP service, including higher quality care for all patients and reduced strain on GP surgeries.

FCPs are fully qualified physiotherapists and are experienced in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and managing a patient’s MSK conditions. First Contact Physiotherapists are accredited by Health Education England and have to adhere to high clinical and professional standards. Pure Physiotherapy is fortunate to have leadership who are linked to Health Education England and are involved in the governance and training of FCPs nationally.