Physiotherapy self-referral

First Contact Practitioner Service

You may also want to consider accessing a First Contact Practitioner Service. If you answer ‘yes’ to all of the following, you may be able to access the care and advice you need via your local First Contact Physiotherapy Practitioner:

• Your muscle or joint pain started in the last 3 months.
• You are 16 years old or older.
• You are able to travel to an appointment if needed.
• You have not had recent surgery and are not seeing a hospital specialist for the same problem.
• You have not already seen your GP or another healthcare worker at your GP practice for this problem.

What to do

• Contact your GP practice.
• Ask to book an appointment with a First Contact Physiotherapist.

You can also find out more about the FCP service in this section.

Extra help

We want to make sure everyone gets the help they need. If you need extra support, please contact your GP practice or get in touch with us.

• Click on the Self referral button on this page
• You will go to the SystmConnect page

  • Click the 'New condition' button

• Select the option that best describes where you are experiencing symptoms
• The next screen will check whether your condition is an emergency and needs to be dealt with urgently
  • If your issue is not an emergency, click “Continue, I have none of these”
  • If it is an emergency, please follow the instruction given on the page
• Answer the questions about how you are feeling.  Please try to give as much detail as you can
• When finished, click the 'Next' button at the bottom of the form.
• Enter your details, indicating whether the request is:
  • For yourself
  • For someone else
  • Or made by a healthcare professional
• If you are submitting on behalf of someone else, you will need to provide:
  • Your details
  • The patient’s details
• When everything is filled in, click the 'Submit' button
• You will see a confirmation message indicating your request has been successfully submitted
• You don’t need to do anything else. The service will contact you with next steps via text message, email, or phone call.

No. You can create the request without logging in or creating an account.

No. The form does ask for your NHS number, but you can still submit it if you are unable to find it, or if you can't remember it. 

You will be asked to describe your symptoms. This helps our clinicians understand what is wrong and how to help you.

We will also ask if you have any other health problems. This is important because other conditions can affect your symptoms or the treatment you need.

Some questions are called 'red flag' questions. These help us check for serious problems that may need urgent care. A few of these questions might feel personal or sensitive. We only ask them to make sure you get the safest and best care. Your answers will be kept private and confidential.

Relatives and carers can help or send a request on your behalf. SystmConnect is an easy and accessible system to use. 

If you do not have access to a smartphone or the internet, please contact our service on: 01388 455200 and a member of our team will help you.

You can send a request on behalf of a friend, relative or friend by filling in the SystmConnect form the same way you would for yourself.

Before you send the form, you will be asked if the request is for you or someone else. Choose 'someone else', then fill in your details and the other person’s details before submitting the form.

We aim to respond to all requests in a timely manner. This may vary depending on the nature of your request. Most are completed within 3-5 working days, however if your request will take longer we will typically respond, providing you with a timeframe.

No. Your information is stored securely in-line with NHS data protection standards and will only be accessed by authorised staff.

SystmConnect is used for self-referrals and messsages to the service.

Please call us or use the usual online booking system for appointments and questions.