This service is for patients who are suffering from joint or muscle pain. If you have a problem that affects your neck, back, joints or muscles you can directly see a First Contact Practitioner (FPC) instead of a GP!
What is a First Contact Practitioner (FPC)?
First Contact Practitioner's (FCP) are specialised Banc! 6/l/8 Physiotherapists, who have had several years' experience working in an MSK (musculoskeletal) setting. The idea of the CP service is to offload the MSK caseload from the GP's. This means that patients get to speak to a highly experienced physiotherapist within days of contacting their GP practice about any MSK conditions. The FCP will then assess and diagnose the patient before providing self-management advice, therefore cutting onward referrals and wait times at major MSK providers such as SGH or they can refer onto the most relevant service such as Physio, Orthopaedics, or Scanning. By having this early input from a physiotherapist gives the patient the best possible change of recovery and a smooth journey through the NHS MSK pathway.
Who are the FCPs at Wimbledon Village Surgery?
Surrey Physio provide the FCP 5ervice in nearly all the Primary Care Network's: in Croydon and Wandsworth, as well as an expanding service in Lambeth and Merton. We al50 are an AQP Provider in Wandsworth for Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. we pride ourselves on providing high quality and individual personalised patient centred care from an exceptional team of physiotherapists and FCP's.
Why see an FPC instead of a GP?
Around one in five people book to see their doctor with a neck, back, joint or muscle problem, and often have to wait for a GP referral to get access: to physiotherapy advice for their conditions: seeing an FPC gives you the opportunity to s:ee the right person at the right time. The expertise of the FPC means that you will have quicker access: to the treatment you need.
When to see your FCP
Please watch this short video that explains when to see your FCP.
How to book an appointment
Please call the surgery on 020 8946 4820 and ask the administration team to book you straight in with a FCP for a MSK problem. (A GP can also do this: if you speak to them about your MSK problem).
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First Contact Physiotherapy
Calling about a bone, joint or muscle problem?
You can now see a specialist physiotherapist here at Wimbledon Village Surgery instead of the GP.
This gives you faster access to expert diagnosis and you'll leave with the advice and exercises you need to start tackling the problem.
The physio can also refer you on to hospital services where necessary. order tests and write prescriptions.
Nationally just 5% of patients choose to see a GP afterwards and 96% would recommend the service to friends and family.
Speak to the receptionist or look on our website to book an appointment with our specialist physiotherapist.