First Contact Physiotherapy
How can a First Contact Physiotherapist help you?
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions make up to a third of a GPs caseload, and this number increases as patients get older. 85% of these patients do not need to see a GP and can be effectively managed by an experienced MSK Clinician, who can see patients early and give the right advice and intervention individualised to that patient; this is the role of first contact physiotherapy practitioners.
In the Forest of Dean, our specialist first contact physiotherapists are able to see or speak to patients from 6* of our GP Practices. If you are aged 16 and over, and have had a joint, bone or muscle problem for more than two weeks, you can book an appointment directly with one of our first contact physiotherapists. You don't need to see or speak to your GP first.
Appointments can either be by telephone or face to face and are held at Forest Health Care in Cinderford, or at Ruardean Surgery, High Street, Ruardean, GL17 9US. How to find Ruardean Surgery can be found here
To book an appointment, please contact Reception at your GP Surgery or, if you have a mobile number, you can request a first contact physiotherapy appointment by clicking on the box below.
Remember, you don't need to see or speak to your GP beforehand.
*First contact physiotherapist appointments are available for patients registered at the following practices:
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Dockham Surgery
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Drybrook Surgery
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Forest Health Care
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Mitcheldean Surgery