Department of Allied Health Professions and Social Work

A flexible route to NHSE recognition as a Dietitian First Contact Practitioner (FCP) in Primary Care  

With an established reputation for running successful NHS England (NHSE) approved First Contact Practitioner (FCP) short courses, the University of Hertfordshire has once again been awarded a contract by NHSE to offer fully funded training for registered Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practitioners, Paramedics, Occupational Therapists and Dietitians.

Why should you study?

FCP roles are integral to providing a sustainable and effective workforce, optimising patient care pathways and ensuring the right healthcare professional sees the right patient in the right place and at the right time. By 2024, all adults in England should be able to see a Dietitian FCP at their local GP practice without being referred by a GP. The benefits of these roles are manifold, and include facilitating timely and appropriate onward referrals, and enhancing patient experience and outcomes (NHS England, 2019). NHSE’s ‘Roadmap to Practice’ sets out the training and educational pathways to FCP recognition for Dietitians (HEE, 2021). The University of Hertfordshire’s flexible programme of study is approved by NHSE as fulfilling Stages 1 and 2 of the FCP Roadmap and on successful completion students will be able to apply to the Centre for Advancing Practice at NHSE to be recognised as a First Contact Practitioner. The University of Hertfordshire is one of only a select few providers in England approved by NHSE to deliver this training.

What will it involve?

All applicants will initially undertake a Learning Needs Analysis to establish if they would be most suited to undertake either:

• A taught short course route, consisting of:

        - First Contact Practitioner 1 (FCP1): 30 credits at Level 7

        - First Contact Practitioner 2 (FCP2): 15 credits at Level 7

or

• A supported portfolio route to becoming a registered FCP
  
  

FCP1 and  FCP2 form part of a broader CPD framework and can contribute towards the awards of Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma (through the CATS route) or Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice.

Who will I study with?

FCP1 focuses on Dietitians, with selected shared sessions with multidisciplinary FCP professionals (MSK Physiotherapists, OTs, Paramedics), facilitating networking opportunities and a deeper understanding of the expansive FCP role. FCP2 is predominantly undertaken in primary care as supervised practice, supported by interdisciplinary university FCP2 study.  If you are undertaking the supported portfolio route you will be working with a named university supervisor to support the development and submission of your portfolio.

How will I learn?

This programme of study has been developed to be innovative, progressive and accessible with the aim of developing high quality FCPs for the future. FCP1 focuses on dietetic practice, with selected shared sessions with multidisciplinary FCP professionals (MSK practitioners, Paramedics, OTs), facilitating networking opportunities and a deeper understanding of the expansive FCP role.  For the taught route, FCP1 and FCP2, all of the university teaching is on-line to facilitate flexible access. Teaching uses synchronous, live streamed and asynchronous activities including lectures, tutorials, workshops, group work and presentations, involving previously successful students and relevant stakeholders, use of case studies and supported peer learning via Action Learning Sets. FCP1 covers the theoretical content of the Road Map and FCP2 enables consolidation of knowledge and skills with a period of supervised practice, which is supported by the university team, clinical mentor and peer review sessions. Both these activities are supported through the use of enhanced technology, so students will require access to a PC and reliable internet connection. Varied assessment methods help to support different learning styles. 

What do our previous FCP students say?

"[this course] will ensure competence and quality of FCP clinicians”

“It was really good to have the module on-line, easier to fit in clinics and life without travel” 

“I have already made changes to my practice”

“it was good to have joint sessions with the OT’s to explore shared issues” 

Who teaches on this programme of study?

Past contributors include Linda Knowles (Clinical Lead Dietetics), Tanya Thomas (Dietitian and Visiting Lecturer), Dr Anietie Edehe (GP and Visiting Lecturer) Dr Robert Shannon (Chartered Psychologist and Visiting Lecturer) Giles Hazam (GP) along with other clinical and research experts.

Learning Outcomes

First Contact Practitioner (FCP) 1: 30 credits at Level 7

Course aim
On successful completion of this short course students will be able to

• demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of theories, principles and concepts underpinning evidence based MSK practice in Primary Care
  This course is equivalent to 300 hours of student effort including ten teaching days and one assessment day.

First Contact Practitioner (FCP) 2: 15 credits at Level 7

Course aim

On successful completion of this short course students will

• develop advanced clinical and evaluative skills and to critically evaluate the effectiveness of aspects of service delivery within the FCP scope of practice
• evidence capabilities required for an FCP role, whilst working alongside the multi professional healthcare team within Primary Care to provide high quality services.
  

This course is equivalent to 150 hours of student effort including seven online synchronous teaching days and one assessment day.

University based sessions are taught online, with student attendance required.

Students will need to complete 75 hours of mentored clinical practice as part of FCP2.

Provisional teaching dates: Commencing November 2027 TBC