Trinity Medical Centre

1 Goldstone Villas, Hove, BN3 3AT

Telephone: 01273 736030

sxicb-bh.thetrinitymedicalcentre@nhs.net

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First Contact Practitioner

A first contact practitioner (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.