GIRFT is urging GP practice managers to complete a survey before 8 December 2025 on the delivery of musculoskeletal First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) services.

GP practice managers and Primary Care Network (PCN) leads with responsibility for musculoskeletal FCP services are invited to complete a short, 5 to 10 minute questionnaire. The aim is to gather feedback and build a clearer understanding of how services are currently being delivered across primary care in England and to identify opportunities for improvement.

The initiative is being led by  GIRFT’s community MSK workstream in partnership with the government’s Joint Work and Health Directorate (JWHD) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

First contact physiotherapists are experienced physiotherapists based in primary care settings, typically within GP surgeries, who have specialist training and expertise in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions. FCPs see patients at the first point of contact, without prior referral from a GP, ensuring patients receive timely access to diagnosis, early management and onward referral if necessary. This benefits patients, primary care and the wider MSK system.

The JWHD has funded a programme of activity on MSK to reduce waiting times for a community MSK appointment to improve access to MSK treatment and support people back to work. MSK is the second largest cause of sickness absence and speeding up access to an FCP will help to reduce this.

The FCP survey, which is also supported by the Practice Managers Association, runs until 8 December 2025 and data collected will help guide the development of best practice support documents, FCP service implementation guidance, alongside future research.