A First Contact Practitioner is a diagnostic AHP clinician in primary care working at masters level clinically with undiagnosed and undifferentiated diagnoses, managing complexity and uncertainty at the first point of contact.
FCPs work at master’s level in their clinical pillar of practice but have not yet reached an advanced level in all four pillars of practice to be verified as an AP.
To become an FCP, recognition is required through Health Education England, whereby a clinician must have completed a taught or portfolio route.
FCPs core capabilities: see relevant Roadmap below.
Funding FCPs are one of the additional roles for which funding is available via the ARRS scheme. This scheme is managed by NHSE via the network Contract DES.