A recent example of this was the South Birmingham MSK Community Appointment Day (CAD) on 9th October 2024, held at Cocks Moor Woods Leisure Centre. The event was a collaborative effort led by College Green Medical Practice, Bournville and Northfield PCN, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, with support from a broad group of system and community partners.
Among the clinicians supporting the day was Enxhi Kumati, an FCP employed by PCP, who works within Bournville and Northfield PCN. Enxhi played a key clinical role in the delivery of the event, offering assessments, advice, and support to patients who had been waiting for routine physiotherapy appointments.
A Collaborative, Patient-Centred Model
The CAD aimed to provide timely, accessible MSK care, reduce waiting list pressures, and empower patients through a personalised approach. Over 250 patients attended and were offered a structured care journey including:
- Clinical MSK assessment
- Advice on self-management and exercise
- Access to a hub of community organisations offering wider health and wellbeing support
The outcomes included:
- 13.9% of patients discharged on the day
- 25.1% placed on Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU)
- Only 50.9% remaining on the waiting list
- 2.3% requiring urgent follow-up
These results illustrate the potential of such events to improve flow and efficiency across MSK pathways while enhancing patient experience.
Supporting FCPs as Collaborative Leaders
Enxhi’s role demonstrates the broader potential of the FCP position – one that goes beyond traditional 1:1 consultations. Having completed Stages 1 and 2 of the HEE Roadmap, and with regular clinical supervision through PCP, Enxhi was well placed to support an event that required both clinical expertise and a person-centred mindset.
At PCP, we invest in the training, development and supervision that enable FCPs to participate confidently in system-wide initiatives – contributing not just to individual patient outcomes, but to the goals of Integrated Care Systems.
Working Alongside Community Partners
A core feature of the CAD was its partnership with 12 community and voluntary sector organisations, including Age UK, Versus Arthritis, Citizens Advice, and The Active Wellbeing Society. These groups supported patients with wider needs – ranging from managing long-term conditions to accessing mental health support, weight management advice, and financial guidance.
This holistic model reflects a key NHS priority: addressing health inequalities through collaboration beyond traditional healthcare boundaries.
Looking Ahead
Feedback from patients was overwhelmingly positive, with:
- 90% reporting satisfaction
- 75% feeling more confident managing their condition
Staff and community partners also praised the event’s collaborative approach and its potential as a blueprint for future initiatives.
Events like this show how the role of the First Contact Physiotherapist can extend into population health, service transformation, and meaningful community engagement.
As a provider committed to partnership working and integrated care, we are keen to support more Community Appointment Days across the country – working alongside PCNs, providers, and community partners to bring high-quality, accessible MSK care to local populations.
