A First Contact Practitioner (FCP), is a healthcare professional working at the GP surgery, and being the ‘first contact’ for a patient. This means that you do not need to see a GP in order to see the FCP, you can ask to see them directly without referral if you have a musculoskeletal (MSK) problem. The FCP can undertake specialist assessment and provide appropriate advice and establish a management plan that is appropriate for you.

Physiotherapists working as FCP’s are experienced musculoskeletal clinicians who have experience of assessing and managing bone, muscle, nerve or joint conditions. In the local area, the majority of FCP’s are physiotherapists, however, FCPs can also come from other clinical backgrounds such as Osteopathy and Podiatry. Regardless of their profession, FCPs provide evidence-based healthcare in line with best-practice NHS guidance and can make referrals to other services if required.