8 minute read
FCP ROLE
STRAIGHT TO THE HEART OF CARE
As first contact practitioners emerge as the latest provision As first contact practitioners emergr e as the latest provision in healthcare, we hear from a podiatrist working in the role in healthcare, we hear from a podiatrist workingn in the role about his experiences. about his experiences.
My fi rst contact with a podiatrist y y fi rst contact with a podiatr rt is i t t was during my AS-levels was during my AS S l -lev vels s following a footballing injury, following a footballing inju j ry, , and I was fascinated by the and I was fascinated by the level of skill involved. Shadowing a local level of skill involved. Shadowing a local private podiatrist exposed me to broader pr p iv vate e podi d atrist exp posed me e to broader aspects of the profession, from routine aspects of the profession, from rout tine e biomechanics to nail surgery. That year biomechanics to nail surgery. That year
I applied to study podiatry at a number I applied to study podiatry at a number of universities. of universities s.
Work/research balance Work/research balance
After graduating from the University of After graduating g from m the University of Southampton I won an internship with S So t uth hampton I won an internship with Arthritis UK and the foot and ankle Arthritis UK and the foot and ankle research team at the university, which research team at the university, which involved learning about the different involved learning about the different research projects happening across the research projects happening across the Arthritis UK centres. This led to partArthritis UK centres. This led to parttime work as a research assistant on time work as a research assistant on a SPHERE-funded project, alongside a SPHERE-funded project, alongside part-time practice in the NHS to develop part-time practice in the NHS to develop my clinical skills. I learned a lot about my clinical skills. I learned a lot about the world of research, co-authored the world of research, co-authored a few papers and honed my skills in a few papers and honed my skills in evidence-based practice. evidence-based practice.
Route to primary care Route to primary care
I then went into private practice with an interest in musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders, with my prior experience providing a strong foundation to build on in primary care.
For the past year I’ve worked across four different surgeries as a fi rst contact practitioner (FCP). Our primary care network (PCN) comprises a knowledgeable team of GPs, practice nurses, advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs), physiotherapists, social prescribers and pharmacists.
Thanks to the PCN encouraging me to develop my skills, I’m also studying for a master’s degree in advanced podiatry at the University of Brighton to work at an advanced practitioner (AP) level, as well as working as an FCP – a challenging but rewarding journey.
The portfolio route to becoming an FCP requires self-directed learning and autonomy, but you must also be able to work as part of a wider multidisciplinary team. There are many opportunities for self-development. I see undifferentiated and undiagnosed patients on a daily basis, and the beauty of the FCP role is that they can be booked directly with the PCN podiatrist or are referred by their GP, ANP or other professional within the network. I then went into private practice with an interest in musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders, with my prior experience providing a strong foundation to build on in primary care.
For the past year I’ve worked across four different surgeries as a fi firs st t contact t pr p ac a titioner (FC CP). . Ou ur r pr p im mar a y care net twork r (PC P N) compr p is i es a knowle l dgeable team of f GPs, pract tic ce e nu urses, advanced nur u se practit tioners (ANP Ps), , ph hysio other rapists ts, social pres scrib bers s and d pharma acist ts s.
Thanks to th t e PCN N encouraging me to develop my skills, I’m also studying fo or r a master’s s degree e in advanced podiatry at the Univers sity of f Brigh hton to t work at an advanced practitioner (AP P) ) le evel, as well as working as an FCP – a a ch halleng ging but reward ding g journey.
The portfolio route to t becom ming g an FCP requires self-directed learning and autonomy, but you must also be able to work as part of a wider multidisciplinary team. There are many opportunities for self-development. I see undifferentiated and undiag gnosed pa p tients on a daily y basis, and the beauty of the FCP role is that they can be booked directly with the
LOUIS MAMODE LOUIS MAMODE has been working has been working as an FCP in as an an FCP in Bournemouth Bourne n mouth since July 2020 since Jul Ju 2 y 2020
PCN N podiatrist or r are e referred by th i eir GP, ANP or other professional within the network.
Professional identity Professional identity
Working in primary care comes with Working in primary care comes with challenges, and working out where I fi t challenges, and working out where I fi t in as a podiatrist is one. My fi rst weeks in as a podiatrist is one. My fi rst weeks in the role were spent fi guring out the in the role were spent figuring out the different referral pathways, such as highdifferent referral pathways, such as highrisk foot, rheumatoid arthritis, MSK triage risk foot, rheumatoid arthritis, MSK triage and orthopaedics, but also establishing and orthopaedics, but also establishing links with the independent sector. For links with the independent sector. For example, if I have a patient with diabetic example, if I have a patient with diabetic foot who needs urgent referral, I contact foot who needs urgent referral, I contact the consultant podiatrist to discuss the consultant podiatrist to discuss their care until they are seen by the their care until they are seen by the team of specialists and receive swift team of specialists and receive swift and appropriate treatment. and appropriate treatment.
Routine care involves knowing where Routine care involves knowing where to send patients who need specifi c to send patients who need specific services. Since all NHS services have services. Since all NHS services have
RESOURCES
For the College’s document on podiatrists as FCPs, go to the second policy position listed at cop.org.uk/the-
college/policy-positions
eligibility criteria, it’s vital that I know what these require before I make a referral, or refer to the independent sector if appropriate, to avoid delays in the patient’s care.
Pandemic challenges
During the Covid-19 pandemic I worked as a vaccinator in primary care, following advice from the College and my PCN regarding training and indemnity insurance. As a podiatrist, it’s been a great experience to work alongside other healthcare teams, and I’ve helped to vaccinate hundreds of people, which is a really rewarding feeling.
For me, the biggest challenge has been recognition by the wider PCN due to limited multidisciplinary team contact during the pandemic. We got around this by meeting individuals in the practices and, slowly but surely, the referral numbers rose. I’ve also been using phone and video for meetings and patient consultations.
Future aims
My role as an FCP podiatrist and AP within primary care is still under development. I have a good relationship with the PCN physiotherapist, where we discuss MSK cases and feed off each other’s expertise. If there are patients with red fl ags I confer with my dedicated GP mentor, who is also helping me complete my FCP portfolio.
Working alongside the PCN team, I hope to develop as much as I can. In the future, I see myself working at a level akin to a consultant podiatrist and hope this career path can be forged.
My FCP takeaways
In primary care, everything is fast paced.
You’re not expected to know everything but to work within your remit, reflect on cases you’ve seen and build on your existing knowledge using the resources available.
The role provides opportunities to progress and improve your knowledge and skills.
The MSK aspect of the role means you automatically see the benefits of early interventions, such as exercise and prefabricated over-the-counter orthoses, which reduce referral rates and pressure on secondary care.
Join our network
The College of Podiatry, in conjunction with Health Education England, have created a First Point of Contact Practitioner network.
Objectives
The aim of the network is to bring together those working as first point of contact practitioners in primary care, those with an interest in working in primary care, those managing services and those who wish to know more about this new role and how it works in practice.
Get in touch
Join the network to find out about training opportunities, job planning, employment models or just simply to connect with peers with a similar interest. To be added to the mailing list for future network meetings, contact lawrence.
