First Contact Musculoskeletal Practitioners (MSK)

First Contact MSK Practitioners assess musculoskeletal issues in order to diagnose your problem and provide a treatment plan. The FC MSK Practitioner can organise scans, tests, or in some cases inject if appropriate. Post assessment, the practitioner will provide self-help treatment advice or refer onwards for physiotherapy or other recommended treatment.

FC MSK Practitioners can assess the following conditions:

  • All soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains, or sports injuries
  • Arthritis - any joint
  • Spinal pain including lower back, mid back and neck pain
  • Spinal-related pain in arms or legs including nerve symptoms (pins and needles or numbness)
  • Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bone (e.g. forearm pain, foot pain)
  • Changes to walking

Some patients will not be suitable to see a First Contact Practitioner.

This includes:

  • Acutely unwell
  • Children under 16
  • Medication reviews/concerns about medications
  • Women’s health, antenatal/postnatal problems
  • Home visits to house-bound patients
  • Neurological / respiratory conditions
  • Headaches
  • Acute Mental Health crisis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis medication review
  • Patients who do not want to see an FCP

Assessment Appointments

Your GP practice can book an appointment for you direct with one of our First Contact MSK practitioners without the need to see a GP first.

To book an appointment with a First Contact MSK Practitioner please complete an Anima request with your GP practice.

Appointments are available both face to face and remotely by telephone.

For face-to-face appointments you may be asked to attend a clinic held at a surgery of another GP practice within our PCN.

Remote telephone appointments are also available in the evenings.

  • Mike Brown: MSK Practitioner
  • Laura Webb: MSK Practitioner
  • Andrew Sheridan: MSK Practitioner
  • Hayden Thirkell: MSK Practitioner

This service is provided by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT).