First Contact Practitioners (FCPs) are a recent addition to the Primary Care workforce. Experienced paramedics, podiatrists, physiotherapists, dietitians, and occupational therapists are now fulfilling these roles, taking responsibility for the assessment and management of patients in Primary Care. With their experience and training, they are able to see patients with undiagnosed and undifferentiated conditions, thereby reducing demand on other Primary Care clinicians.
The content on this webpage is regularly updated as more course information comes online. Please do not download resources but return here for up-to-date guidance.
In 2022, an exercise to procure providers to deliver a package of training and education to support the FCP programme was led by NHS England’s National Primary and Integrated Care team, to align and approve this with regional requirements and flexibility. Three key areas where support and robust governance were required were identified, which became the basis of the specification:
- Learning Needs Analysis (LNA): to support the identification of training and education requirements to ensure all learners complete all aspects needed to work in an FCP role.
- FCP Taught Route: commissioning of learner places on education modules, to complete Stage 1 and / or Stage 2 of the FCP Taught Route as identified through the LNA, including development and use of an e-portfolio system for learners to upload reflections and evidence for sign-off. Evidence of successful completion to be issued by the relevant education provider.
- FCP Portfolio Route: delivery and management of this route, including development and use of an e-portfolio system for learners to upload reflections and evidence for sign-off. Evidence of successful completion to be issued by the relevant education provider.
This webpage therefore reflects the identified course provision for FCP training in Primary Care.
Please be aware, we are awaiting clarification about the future provision for those FCPs who are currently advanced in the previous FCP Portfolio route.