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.

Connect Health Integrated Musculoskeletal Service (South and west Hertfordshire)

Connect Health provides an integrated musculoskeletal (MSK) and pain management service for patients in south and west Hertfordshire. Your GP will refer you to Connect Health if you need additional specialist help from one of the following areas:

• Physiotherapy
• Rheumatology 
• Pain management 
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) 
• Fibromyalgia 
• Podiatry 
• Hand therapy 
• Off-the-shelf orthotics (to correct biomechanical foot issues) 
• Postural stability (for patients over 65 who are at risk of a fall) 

You might have a telephone or face-to-face appointment, or you might also receive online advice on self-care and exercises. In this way the service can support people to start their rehabilitation as quickly as possible.

You can contact Connect Health by phone or email. You can also find out more about the Connect Health service including useful resources and a list of local clinics across south and west Hertfordshire in its website.

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)
• Stellar Healthcare

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 Central Referral Service, Stellar Healthcare. 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.