Overview

An MSK FCP stands for Musculoskeletal (muscles and bone) First Contact Practitioner. They have worked as a physiotherapist specialising in problems with muscles and joints for a minimum of 5 years and have done additional training to be able to assess, diagnosis and manage muscle and joint pains within primary care.
An MSK First Contact Practitioner will provide Assessment, Diagnosis and Management of MSK conditions in primary care as a first contact for that patient.
A management plan may involve advice and education on the patient’s pain and self management, a tailored exercise programme, discussing and issuing a fit/sick note, directing the patient to local and online services for advice and support and/or discussing onward referrals that maybe appropriate. Some examples of these referrals can be seen below:

  • Community Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Orthotics, Occupational Therapy
  • Domiciliary (home based) Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
  • Further assessment in secondary care by the Advance Practice Team
  • Fracture clinic
  • Orthopaedic Consultant in Secondary Care
  • Pain Management Services

Some MSK FCPs are also trained to prescribe medication and administer steroid injections if appropriate. They also all have access to the Duty GP on the day for support to provide pain medications or request investigations and are trained to rule out non MSK causes for symptoms that may require a GP appointment which can also usually be given the same day or within that week.

Career Pathway

This flow chart from the NHSE Roadmap to Practice illustrates the career pathway perfectly.

Training Hub Offers

  • Support to get FCPs in every GP practice in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
  • Provide peer support to the FCPs within Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin
  • Facilitate FCPs becoming part of the new Health Education England FCP register
  • Support FCPs to progress within their career and into advanced practice
  • Act as an ambassador for the FCP role
  • Advice and delivery of supervision and CPD/specific training for all FCPs in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
  • Support to PCNs recruiting FCPs
  • Facilitate STW FCP Forums and peer support network groups – stay informed with our WhatsApp for STW FCP! Email Natalie to join! stw.traininghub@nhs.net
  • Networking throughout our local area and beyond with Higher Education Institutes and other training hubs throughout the country
  • Support to PCNs and system partners to grow the role of the MSK FCP
  • Work with future FCP workforce to allow progression from physiotherapist to FCP

Useful Links

Contacts

Natalie Heighway, MSK First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Facilitator stw.traininghub@nhs.net