Musculoskeletal services

First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs)

Many GP surgeries have a First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) with expertise in assessing and managing musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. 

If your GP surgery has a first contact physiotherapy service, the receptionist can book you an appointment directly with a physiotherapist. You will not need to wait for a referral from a doctor. 

You could be offered an appointment with a physiotherapist if you have one or more of the following issues: 

• A soft tissue injury, sprain, strain, or sports injury 
• Arthritis – any joint 
• Potential problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bone, such as tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle sprains 
• Spinal pain including lower back pain, mid-back pain and neck pain 
• Spinal-related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms such as pins and needles or numbness 
• Changes to walking 
• Post-orthopaedic surgery 

The physiotherapist will: 

• Assess you and diagnose what is happening 
• Give you expert advice on how best to manage your condition 
• Refer you on to a specialist service if necessary 

Community musculoskeletal and pain management services

There are different services that provide community musculoskeletal and pain management services depending on where you live.

Circle Integrated Care Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service (South and West Hertfordshire)

Circle Integrated Care (Circle) provides an integrated musculoskeletal (MSK) and pain management service for patients in south and west Hertfordshire. Your general practice can refer you to Circle if you need additional specialist help in one of the following areas:

• Physiotherapy
• Hand therapy
• Rheumatology 
• Pain management and opioid management
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) 
• Fibromyalgia 
• Podiatry 
• Off-the-shelf orthotics (to correct biomechanical foot issues) 

Circle will contact you to offer you a choice of telephone or face-to-face appointment.

Please note that you do not need to contact Circle to make an appointment, instead they will contact you.  You will not be discharged if you don’t contact them yourself.  However, please do contact the community MSK service if your condition is deteriorating while you’re waiting for them to contact you.

You will find a list of Circle’s clinics across south and west Hertfordshire on their website here: https://cic.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/south-and-west-hertfordshire/

Circle Integrated Care also has an app, which contains simple exercises and useful information on waiting well, alongside further information about the services they provide.  You can find this by searching for “Circle Integrated Care” in the app stores.

West Essex Community Pain Management Service

The community pain management service supports people with persistent (or chronic) musculoskeletal pain that lasts for more than six months.  

Your west Essex GP, hospital consultant, or physiotherapists can refer you to the service which is provided by:  

• The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust 
• Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).

The service is offered from various locations in west Essex and in Bishop’s Stortford.   

The service aims to help you to support and better understand your pain, so you feel empowered to manage it yourself.  

It is provided by professionals with expertise in different areas of pain management including senior doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, and pharmacists.  

You will be supported by particular specialists according to your needs. They will support you through group workshops or personal sessions. 

If you have any questions about referrals to the service, contact the West Essex Community Pain management Service administration team. You can alternatively find out more about the service on EPUT’s website. 

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust musculoskeletal services (east and north Hertfordshire)

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) provides musculoskeletal (MSK) services for patients living in east and north Hertfordshire. You need to be referred by your GP to this service.