WHAT IS A FIRST CONTACT PRACTITIONER? FCPs are specialised physiotherapists with advanced clinical practice skills who are able to assess, diagnose, treat and discharge patients without medical input for a wide variety of MSK problems. The idea of the FCP service within our PCN, is that patients with MSK problems get access to quality care within days of contacting the GP surgery that improves their recovery and that the wait times to see our GPs are reduced as a result. WHAT DOES THE FCP SERVICE INVOLVE? An FCP session firstly involves assessing and diagnosing the patient’s presenting problem. From this the FCP will be able to provide self-management advice (including a home exercise program) and referral onto the NHS physio team if additional physiotherapy services or follow up appointments are required. An FCP can also refer to secondary care (specialist) services and send for further diagnostics (including MRIs and blood tests) if indicated. WHAT DOES THE FCP SERVICE NOT INVOLVE? The FCP service does not involve hands on treatment (massage/manipulation), however our FCPs have knowledge of private services and companies within the local community and this allows them to provide expert recommendations if they feel this form of treatment will facilitate recovery. BACKGROUND (MSK PROBLEMS WITHIN GENERAL PRACTICE) In the UK, musculoskeletal (MSK) problems are predominately managed in primary care, accounting for approximately 14% of General Practitioner (GP) Consultations. The First Contact Practitioner (FCP) role has been introduced to enhance care for patients with MSK problems, to increase capacity within GP surgeries and to improve access to primary care services. Musculoskeletal 13 Northwest Merton PCN: The Green Pages
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