Primary Care Musculoskeletal Service

What is a Primary Care Musculoskeletal Service

Musculoskeletal (MSK) problems account for up to 30% of GP appointments. Increasing numbers of people now have the opportunity to see a MSK practitioner as their first point of contact, and these practitioners can come from a range of Allied Health Profession (AHP) disciplines including physiotherapy.  

By providing direct access to physiotherapy, including integrating physiotherapy skill sets into the general practice team, people with MSK symptoms can see them instead of the GP to assess, diagnose, advise and provide exercises and, when needed, carry out further investigations and refer on. Many advanced practice physiotherapists are qualified to prescribe independently, order investigations, carry out injection therapy and plan complex case management. Ensuring people receive the right skill set in a timely manner and care is being accessed closer to home.