First Contact Practitioner

This service is for patients who have joint, muscle and/or nerve pain. If you have a problem that affects your neck, back, joints or muscles you are able to directly see a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) instead of a GP.

A First Contact Practitioner (FCP) is an experienced Physiotherapist who has the advanced skills required to assess, diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment to people with joint, muscle and/or nerve pain.  

If appropriate, an FCP may: 

• Provide exercise and self-management advice 

• Refer for imaging (X-Ray/MRI/Ultrasound scan) 

• Refer for blood tests 

• Ask appropriate medication to be prescribed 
• Refer to secondary health service e.g. Rheumatology or Orthopaedics. 

All FCP’s are trained to identify ‘red flag’ symptoms which may require urgent medical attention.  

First Contact Practitioners work closely with your GP to ensure that you, as the patient, get to see the most appropriate clinician as soon as possible; with the aim of reducing your pain and function limitations.  

Around one in five people book in to see their GP with joint, muscle and/or nerve pain. Patient’s often have to wait for a GP referral to access Physiotherapy services.  Seeing an FCP gives you the opportunity to see the right person at the right time. The expertise of the FCP means that you will have quicker access to the treatment you need. 

Ask the receptionist to book an appointment with the FCP

Complete an onlin triage and mention you would like to see the FCP