First Contact Physiotherapy

Your First Step to Better Movement Starts Here

Supporting Primary Care with Specialist First Contact Practitioners

Trusted providers of First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) services—bringing expert musculoskeletal care directly to your door step.

Since our inception, we have been a trusted provider of First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) in GP practices, originally funded by NHS England. Our expert team specializes in musculoskeletal (MSK) care, rheumatology, geriatric health, and chronic pain management, delivering comprehensive support to primary care networks.

With a data-driven approach and a deep commitment to patient-centred care, First Contact Physiotherapy continually enhances its services while seamlessly integrating with Primary Care Networks (PCNs). We provide structured training, strong clinical governance, and in-depth performance analytics to our partners. Our leadership team works closely with NHS England, ensuring that our FCP services are sustainable, effective, and deliver a lasting impact on primary care.

First Contact Physiotherapy

What We offer

We specialise in delivering high-quality MSK physiotherapy services at the first point of contact, helping patients access expert care without the wait.

Providing Primary Care with Specialist FCP Support to Ease GP Workload and Improve Outcomes.

🔹 Quick access to skilled MSK professionals
🔹 Prompt assistance for musculoskeletal issues
🔹 Smooth integration within GP practices

Tailored programs to address frailty risks, prevent falls, and reduce injuries.
🔹 Collaborations with NHS and independent care providers.
🔹 Effective fall prevention strategies
🔹 Comprehensive long-term care support plans

Holistic, modular pain management focused on lasting, impactful change for patients.
🔹 Customized pain management plans
🔹 Personalized treatment approaches
🔹 Specialized multidisciplinary care

Supporting patients awaiting orthopedic procedures with continuous MSK care.
🔹 Rehabilitation programs before surgery
🔹 Coordinated post-surgical care
🔹 Enhanced musculoskeletal management

Expert-led care focused on early intervention, education, and treatment to ease pressure on the healthcare system.
🔹 Prompt assessments and tailored treatment plans
🔹 Appropriate investigation
🔹 Quick access to injection therapy where applicable

Dedicated support for businesses & healthcare providers to improve health & well-being.
🔹 Quick access to physiotherapy services
🔹 Programs to prevent workplace injuries
🔹 Comprehensive case management solutions

Areas We Cover

  • Nationally trusted FCP providers since 2019
  • Fully qualified, HCPC & CSP-registered clinicians
  • Efficient service integration and admin support
  • Tailored care for every GP surgery and PCN

For Healthcare Partners

Let’s work together to improve outcomes, reduce GP workload, and deliver seamless MSK care to your community.

For Clinicians

Ready to make a difference in Primary Care? Join our growing team of expert physiotherapists working across the UK.

Our ICDA Partners

What our customers say

Patient Feedback

First Contact Physiotherapy

Musculoskeletal conditions make up nearly one-third of a GP’s workload, yet 85% of these cases can be effectively handled by skilled MSK specialists without needing a GP consultation. Our First Contact Physiotherapy services alleviate frontline pressure while improving patient outcomes with prompt, expert-led care.

What is a First Contact Physiotherapy?

Benefits of First Contact Physiotherapy

Mobilisation
and Integration

Partner Support
and Benefits

Testimonials
and Feedback

FAQ

Testimonials from our PCN Partners

Experienced Provider

One of the UK’s longest-serving NHS-funded FCP teams since 2019.

Fully Compatible

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Research-Driven

Utilising a data-driven approach, funding research to continuously improve services.

Patient-Centred

Prioritising high-quality patient care as the top focus.

Cost-Effective

Maximising impact within budgets and optimising ARRS funding.

Comprehensive Support

Providing monthly data for performance tracking and service development.

BLOGS

Read our thoughts & insights

CPD at Pure: Staying Current in Physiotherapy

CPD at Pure: Staying Current in Physiotherapy

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a commitment to ongoing lifelong learning. CPD is about identifying opportunities to learn something new, refresh existing knowledge, improve skills, or simply keeping up-to-date with the latest developments within our profession.

What’s the most common musculoskeletal problem seen in primary care and how are we best to manage it?

What’s the most common musculoskeletal problem seen in primary care and how are we best to manage it?

Musculoskeletal problems are a common issue in primary care across England, with lower back, or lumbar spine, issues being the most frequently reported. This trend aligns with global research, especially in Western countries, where lumbar spine problems—such as pain, restricted movement, and referred pain into the legs and pelvis—are the most common musculoskeletal complaints. However, the situation in primary care is more complex than it first appears. 

Meet the Best Practice London 2025 Team

Meet the Best Practice London 2025 Team

In just over two weeks, Pure Unity Health will be exhibiting at the Best Practice London 2025 conference, scheduled for February 26-27 at Olympia London. This premier event offers a platform for healthcare professionals to engage, learn, and collaborate on advancements in primary care.

First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) allows patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) issues to see a specialist physiotherapist directly at their GP practice—without needing a referral from a doctor.

These physiotherapists are highly skilled MSK clinicians who can:
• Assess, diagnose, and manage conditions like back, neck, joint, or muscle pain
• Provide expert advice and treatment
• Refer to investigations or secondary care if needed

Think of them as your first point of contact for MSK care—quick, effective, and fully integrated with your GP team.

A chiropractor performing an arm adjustment on a patient in a therapy session.

• Faster access to MSK expertise—no need to wait for a GP referral
• Reduced GP workload—patients go straight to the expert
• Early intervention—preventing chronic pain and long-term issues
• Improved patient satisfaction and self-management
• Efficient referrals for scans, injections, or secondary care if required

FCP helps keep care local, efficient, and effective—supporting both patients and practices.

Image of a physiotherapy session focusing on arm movement and manual adjustment.

We ensure a seamless onboarding and integration process into your practice or PCN, including:

• Setup of EMIS/SystmOne templates
• Staff orientation and training
• Clear patient pathways and booking criteria
• Integration with local MSK, radiology, and secondary care teams

Our goal is to blend smoothly into your systems—not disrupt them.

doctor, patient, gynecologist, women, females, healthcare and medicine, hospital, medical clinic, medicine, nurse, female doctor

When you work with us, you get more than just a clinician:
• A dedicated service manager
• Customised FCP sessions (new, follow-up, injection)
• Help with performance reporting and KPI tracking
• Long-term sickness and holiday cover
• Flexible contracts tailored to your PCN’s size.
We partner with you to optimize MSK care delivery, not just fill a rota.

What is First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP)?

First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) allows patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) issues to see a specialist physiotherapist directly at their GP practice—without needing a referral from a doctor.

These physiotherapists are highly skilled MSK clinicians who can:
• Assess, diagnose, and manage conditions like back, neck, joint, or muscle pain
• Provide expert advice and treatment
• Refer to investigations or secondary care if needed

Think of them as your first point of contact for MSK care—quick, effective, and fully integrated with your GP team.

Benefits of First Contact Physiotherapy

• Faster access to MSK expertise—no need to wait for a GP referral
• Reduced GP workload—patients go straight to the expert
• Early intervention—preventing chronic pain and long-term issues
• Improved patient satisfaction and self-management
• Efficient referrals for scans, injections, or secondary care if required

FCP helps keep care local, efficient, and effective—supporting both patients and practices.

A chiropractor performing an arm adjustment on a patient in a therapy session.
Image of a physiotherapy session focusing on arm movement and manual adjustment.

Mobilisation and Integration

We ensure a seamless onboarding and integration process into your practice or PCN, including:

• Setup of EMIS/SystmOne templates
• Staff orientation and training
• Clear patient pathways and booking criteria
• Integration with local MSK, radiology, and secondary care teams

Our goal is to blend smoothly into your systems—not disrupt them.

Partner Support and Benefits

When you work with us, you get more than just a clinician:
• A dedicated service manager
• Customised FCP sessions (new, follow-up, injection)
• Help with performance reporting and KPI tracking
• Long-term sickness and holiday cover
• Flexible contracts tailored to your PCN’s size.
We partner with you to optimize MSK care delivery, not just fill a rota.

A chiropractor performing an arm adjustment on a patient in a therapy session.

Testimonials and Feedback