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Physio

A First Contact Physiotherapist in a GP practice is an experienced physiotherapist with advanced skills. They assess, diagnose, and recommend appropriate management and exercises to aid recovery for Musculoskeletal disorders (MSK). MSK issues can affect your joints, bones and muscles and sometimes associated tissues such as your nerves. They can range from minor injuries to long-term conditions.

These include, but are not limited to:

  • Back pain
  • Arthritis- any joint
  • soft tissue injuries to ligaments, tendons and muscles
  • Nerve pains
  • Repetitive strain injuries
  • Frozen shoulder 

 FCPs can also make referrals (NHS and private) to long-term physio treatment in the community. Patients are often booked in directly with a FCP without seeing a GP first.

FCPs play a crucial role in enhancing patient care, reducing GP workload, improving access to physiotherapy, and empowering patients to take control of their recovery.

Canbury Medical Centres FCP is Mrs Kemila Goppy

When you see the FCP you will be asked what your symptoms are, when they started and if anything specific triggered the symptoms. The FCP will then perform a physical assessment in order to diagnosis and then decide on the most appropriate management which may include diagnostic investigations or early self-management advice including pain management strategies and exercises. They will explain their diagnosis to you and will give information about the injury, suspected recovery time and what exercises could help.

Most appointments with the FCP happen in person at Canbury Medical Centre and are 30-minutes. Follow up appointments generally take place over the phone. You will need to wear suitable clothing to allow full assessment of the area of concern. 

  • Most patients leave appointments with a FCP with an exercise plan and advice that will help treat the injury and/or relieve symptoms.
  • A referral to community therapy services for example physiotherapy treatment, podiatry, falls team. (This does not need the GP’s input and can be done by one of the FCP).
  • A follow-up appointment so the FCP can see how a patient is getting on.
  • A referral to secondary care specialists
  • A referral for diagnostics if this is appropriate.

Our FCP and NHS England all recommend the free NHS ‘Get You Better App’ read more about this here. 

You don't need to prepare anything ahead of seeing the FCP, however, you may want to: 

  • Take a photo of the injury when it is at its worst.
  • For example: You might see the physio in the morning and your foot may only swell in the evening, take a photo so you can show the FCP in your appointment.
  • Bring along any support garments you have been wearing to show the FCP how you wear them and discuss how helpful they might be.
  • Note what medications you have taken.
  • For example: ‘I took ibuprofen, and it helps, but only for a couple of hours’.
  • Write a list of questions you have to ensure everything is answered before the end of the appointment.

Patients who prepare what they would like to discuss with the FCP before the appointment, often feel that they are getting the most out of their time with the FCP.

You should request an appointment with one of our FCPs if you think the issue you are having is musculoskeletal (MSK).

If you feel you need a to see a FCP please visit this page and select 'Medical Request'. Please complete the form with as much information as possible.

Your request will be triaged, and we will come back with either a request for more information or an appointment time.

Please note, the triage team will ensure you are booked with the most appropriate clinician in a suitable time frame. If there is not enough capacity with our FCP in a sensible time frame you will be offered an appointment with a GP.

If you have submitted a request for an appointment and you are booked in for an appointment with a FCP, this will be because the triage team have carefully considered your request and decided your issue can be dealt with by one of our FCPs.

If you would prefer to be seen by a GP, that is fine, just let us know and your appointment will be re-booked.

It is worth noting FCPs are often used by the practice to manage capacity when we have limited GP appointments to offer. Given this, if you turn down your appointment with the FCP there could be a longer wait until you can be seen by a GP and the outcome is usually the same.
Canbury