As part of the North Arden PCN we are delighted to offer our patients access to the services of First Contact Practitioners.
First Contact Practitioners (FCPs) are physiotherapists who are typically based in GP surgeries and specialize in assessing and managing musculoskeletal conditions. This approach involves integrating physiotherapists directly into GP practices to treat patients who present with musculoskeletal problems.
FCPs can assist patients suffering from issues such as back, neck, and joint pain by:
- Assessing and diagnosing their conditions
- Providing expert advice on managing their issues
- Referring them to specialist services if necessary.
FCPs help individuals affected by injury, illness, or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education, and advice. They are also able to refer patients who require ongoing physiotherapy care.
You may qualify for an appointment with a physiotherapist if you are experiencing any of the following issues:
- All soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains, or sports injuries in the upper and lower limbs
- Arthritis affecting any joint
- Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bones, such as tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, or ankle sprains
- Spinal pain, including lower back pain, mid-back pain, and neck pain
- Spinal-related pain in the arms or legs, including nerve symptoms like pins and needles or numbness
- Changes in mobility
- Care following orthopaedic surgery
Patients can directly book an appointment with the physiotherapist through the surgery receptionists, eliminating the need to wait for a doctor’s referral.
For more information about our First Contact Practitioners and what they can do, please visit our PCN website here.