Course overview
Department of Allied Health Professions, Midwifery and Social Work
A flexible route to NHSE recognition as a Paramedic 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 paramedic 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 paramedics (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 register 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:
- To undertake 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 or MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice (Primary and Urgent Care) or Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice
Who will I study with?
FCP1 focuses on paramedics, with selected shared sessions with multidisciplinary FCP professionals (OTs, MSK Practitioners, Osteopaths, Dieticians), 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. For FCP1 and FCP2 the majority of university teaching is on-line with some sessions available in-person (on campus) or in hybrid format (live streamed 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”
“Great knowledge from all lecturers. Good at explaining and good use of different lecturers throughout the module”
“I have applied for another one of your modules because of how interesting this one has been”
Who teaches on this programme of study?
Sessions will be taught by clinical and research experts in paramedic science and in primary care. Past contributors have included Rishi Navsaria (Consultant Physiotherapist), Dr Neeraj Prasad (GP), Dr Robert Shannon (Clinical Psychologist), Dr Giles Hazan (GP) along with other clinical experts.
Learning Outcomes
First Contact Practitioner 1 (FCP): 30 credit at Level 7
Course aim
On successful completion of this short course students should be able to:
- develop advanced clinical and evaluate 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
The course is equivalent toa 300 hours of student effort including ten teaching days and one assessment day.
First Contact Practitioner 2 (FCP): 15 credits at Level 7
Course aim:
On successful completion of this short course students will
- develop advanced clinical and evaluate 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.
This module can contribute to the following programme(s)
Accredited by
Funding
£0.00
This programme of study is fully funded by NHSE. There are a limited number of places.
Why choose HERTS?
Excellent sector connections: we have extensive links with eight NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in Hertfordshire.
Links with over 98 NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in East Anglia and London regions.
Flexibility: we provide flexible study options to ensure you can fit CPD study around your busy professional and personal lives.
Location: the main University of Hertfordshire campus is 25 minutes from London with easy access by both road and rail services.
Course details
Course leader
Ms Sarah Jardine hsk-ahpfcp@herts.ac.uk
Administrator
Julie Porter
Telephone
01707 284800
Course delivery
Blended
Downloads
Prerequisites
What are the entry requirements?
Applications are welcome from qualified, experienced and highly motivated paramedics who want to be change makers in the clinical field, working at an enhanced level of practice.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate:
- Evidence of current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Normally a minimum of three years post registration (evidenced by (CV) - Evidence of successful level 7 study*
- Evidence of working in, or towards, an NHS based FCP role for progression onto FCP Stage 2
- Prior to FCP Stage 2, confirmation of access to an appropriately qualified Clinical Supervisor, i.e. a GP, consultant practitioner, recognised advanced practitioner (recognised by the NHSE centre having completed the portfolio route to advanced practitioner or the taught ACP master’s degree, or more experienced first contact practitioner. Evidence of 75 hours of ring-fenced clinical supervision scheduled in an NHS Primary Care workplace based in England for completion of FCP2 (confirmation from employer)
- At every stage, evidence of up to date statutory and mandatory training in their area of practice (evidenced by confirmation from employer) Evidence (certificates to be supplied) of completion of: (1) Eight e-learning modules (e-learning for healthcare, e-LfH) modules as stated in the roadmap, (2) Personalised Care Institute modules (found at: https://www.personalisedcareinstititue.org.uk
- Evidence of completion of an Advanced Patient module is recommended*
Applications are also welcome from learners with significant relevant clinical experience and relevant, current, CDP (evidenced by CV). All applications will be considered on an individual basis.
To be signed off as a First Contact Practitioner learners must successfully achieve a pass in both short courses, therefore it is expected that successful students from FCP1 enrol on FCP2. All applications will be considered on an individual basis. The deadline for applications is 31st January 2027. The course will close once we have received sufficient applications. You are advised to apply as soon as possible.
It is anticipated that you will study FCP1 and FCP2. We will consider applicants who wish to register for FCP1 but may not have supervisory arrangements in place for FCP2 at the start of FCP1 if we have places available.
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