First Contact Practitioner/Physiotherapist
A first contact practitioner (FCP) is an experienced physiotherapist who has the advanced skills necessary to assess, diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment or referral for musculoskeletal (MSK) problems on a patient’s first contact with healthcare services. They help patients to improve their mobility and regain independence. This can be after an injury or operation, or due to disability or ageing.
First contact practitioners can be accessed directly by patients or by referral from a practice. This streamlines patient access to the care they require.
The vast majority of musculoskeletal first contact practitioners are physiotherapists with enhanced skills.
FCPs can help patients with musculoskeletal issues such as back, neck and joint pain by;
- assessing and diagnosing issues
- advising on condition management
- providing referrals to specialist services
FCPs are people who;
- are excellent at listening and communicating, able to explain conditions and treatments esily
- have a calm and caring nature
- Are physically fit with strong organisational and planning skills
First contact physiotherapists will usually have completed a degree course in physiotherapy. This takes the usual two to three years full time and over four years part-time. A two-year accelerated Masters course is also an option if you already have a relevant degree. To practice you need to be registered with the HCPC.
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