What are the benefits of having an FCP?

• Patients
• GPs/ PCNs

• No long waiting times to see an NHS Physiotherapist in a hospital
• Seeing the right person at the right time, first time
• Less likelihood of acute conditions becoming chronic
• Improvement of patient care, shorter lead time means that patients feel more positive, and feel reassured as the Specialist FCP explains the condition so that they understand
• Faster recovery
• Thorough assessment, diagnosis and treatment of any MSK conditions – typically appointments are at least twice as long as a GP appointment
• Easier access to MSK knowledge and skills

• Removing burdensome MSK caseload from overworked GPs, allowing them to spend more time focussing on patients that they can potentially help
• Better quality appointments
• Ability to reduce costs associated with GP capacity
• Reduction in cost of prescriptions
• FCPs able to carry out some tasks that typically fall on a GP
• Reception staff able to triage and book appointments directly
• Small number of patients referred onwards to secondary Care or back to GPs (typically under 10%)
• Reduction in waiting times
• FCPs are autonomous and can manage their own caseload
• Integration into Practice/ PCN workforce
• Can work the extended hours

Due to the fact that people are seen quicker, it has been shown to reduce overall sickness absence, accelerate recovery time and improve the long term health and well-being prospects of people with MSK Complaints (Addley et al., 2010; Boorman, 2009; NHS Employers, 2012)