First Contact Physiotherapists (FCP) are qualified independent clinical practitioners who can assess, diagnose, treat, and manage musculoskeletal (MSK) problems and undifferentiated conditions and, where appropriate, discharge a person without a medical referral. FCPs working in this role can be accessed directly by patients, or staff in GP practices can refer patients to them to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan to streamline pathways of care.
This is not a role that will be cancer specific, however, as it is a first contact practitioner role they will have exposure to undiagnosed cancer patients. This role does need to have knowledge of signs and symptoms of cancer and may be the first professional that a patient seeks advice from. They can help achieve faster diagnosis by aiding referral and investigations. This is a role that will benefit from knowledge around safety netting guidelines and the use of decision support tools to aid their decision making. This will aid onward referral, reduce cancers missed, speed up the process. This role is also key in the prevention of developing cancer by making every contact count and are often involved at a point when patients may listen to lifestyle advice to help manage pain and improve function.
FCP MSK Physiotherapists can support the following:
Prevention
- Making Every Contact count
- Healthy Lifestyle Advice
- Signposting to services
Early Diagnosis
- Knowledge of signs and symptoms of cancer and recurrence
- Safety Netting
- Clinical Decision Support Tools
- Referrals/Investigations
Personalised Care
- Signposting to wider services specialist and non-specialist
- Gateway to cancer specialist therapists for management of symptoms of cancer and its treatments
Increasing knowledge and skills in detecting cancer symptoms and use of safety netting and clinical decision support tools will impact patient care and increase faster diagnosis.
We can offer training and education to help you support and provide personalised care to cancer patients, improve early diagnosis and provide safety netting. Please see our resource package for more details (Appendix 7).
We welcome ideas on further training needs or innovation. Please do contact us to discuss further.
Wessex Cancer Alliance provides a Primary Care Newsletter which provides up to date information and education offers. Please contact us if you would like to subscribe.
We have provided some insight on how you could utilise an FCP Physiotherapist and how this will help deliver the GP Contract DES and other primary care responsibilities (Appendix 5).
There are several non-medical roles that would benefit from the Wessex Cancer Alliance offer to support education and use of safety netting and clinical decision support tools. This includes Paramedics, Physician Associates, Clinical Pharmacists, Advanced Clinical/Nurse Practitioners. If you would like support with education to this wider group please contact us.
If you would like more general information about the FCP role and supportive documents, please access Wessex LMCs: PCN Workforce – ARRS and First Contact Physiotherapists – Dorset Primary Care Training Hub (primarycaredorset.co.uk)
Wessex Cancer Alliance provides a Primary Care Newsletter which provides up to date information and education offers. Please contact us if you would like to subscribe.
