Advanced clinical and consultant practice roles and first contact practitioner services

Extending skills

HEE has developed an extension of the skills of the allied AHPs workforce to meet the needs of the population. This means extending skills that are in the remit of podiatry, or broadening skills set across professional boundaries. Find out more about advancing practice here.

See also:

• HEE's First contact practitioner and advanced practitioners in primary care (podiatry): Roadmap to practice
• RCPod's policy position on Podiatrists as first contact practitioners

The introduction of Musculoskeletal FCPs is a key element of NHS England’s approach to improving patient care and easing the pressure on GP surgeries. MSK conditions account for 20 per cent of a GP's caseload, FCP services place advanced musculoskeletal practitioners in primary care teams and at the start of the patient’s pathway, enabling them to assess, diagnose and manage MSK patients. They are able to provide timely care to patients and increase GP capacity overall.

The Musculoskeletal First Contact Practitioners Services - Implementation Guide has been developed as a 'how-to' for introducing these new roles in your area, covering capability frameworks, governance issues and practical advice that draws on case studies in areas already offering the service

Further resources

See NHS England's page on Musculoskeletal health.

See also NHS England's Elective care high impact interventions: First contact practitioner for MSK services