First Contact Practitioner

Abbi Crawford is A first contact practitioner (FCP) an FCP is an experienced physiotherapist who has expertise and the advanced skills necessary to assess, diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment or referral for musculoskeletal (MSK) problems on a patient’s first contact, instead of a GP,  when they visit their GP surgery.

Patients with MSK complaints can be booked in to see an FCP by a GP receptionist, GP or online. An FCP offers expert MSK assessment and diagnosis, however, is also integrated within the multi-disciplinary team in each GP practice. If appropriate, an FCP may prescribe a programme of exercises, refer for blood tests or X-ray, or refer a patient to an appropriate secondary health service e.g. rheumatology or orthopaedics. All FCP’s are trained to identify ‘red flag’ symptoms which may require medical attention.