NHS ConfedExpo 2025: Challenges of Implementing a Neighbourhood Health Service
NHS ConfedExpo 2025 Reflections — Part Two: Challenges of Implementing a Neighbourhood Health Service.By Tom Beadle, COO, Pure Unity Health This is the second in a three-part series from Tom Beadle, Chief Operating Officer at Pure Unity Health, reflecting on key takeaways from the 2025 NHS ConfedExpo, held on June 11–12 in Manchester. In part […]
Primary Care Reattendance Following an FCPP Appointment: A National Retrospective Service Evaluation
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions make up to one third of a GP’s caseload. First Contact Practitioner Physiotherapists (FCPPs) have been shown to be a clinically and cost-effective alternative for managing these. However, their real impact on Primary Care workloads requires further evaluation. Pure’s approach to data collection and evaluation At Pure, one of the things we […]
The General Practice Podcast: Vicky Maskill and Adam Davies on Transforming Healthcare
In the June 23, 2025 episode of The General Practice Podcast from Ockham Healthcare with Ben Gowland, Vicky Maskill (Director of NHS strategy and Partnerships) and Adam Davies (Health & Wellbeing Services Lead) share their insights into how Pure Unity Health is leading the way in delivering First Contact Physiotherapy services across the UK. […]
NHS ConfedExpo 2025: A Glimpse into the Future of Healthcare with a Primary Care Focus
NHS ConfedExpo 2025 Reflections — Part One: A Vision for Primary CareBy Tom Beadle, COO, Pure Unity Health This is the first in a three-part series from Tom Beadle, Chief Operating Officer at Pure Unity Health, reflecting on key takeaways from the 2025 NHS ConfedExpo, held on June 11–12 in Manchester. In this first part, […]
The DES 25/26 and the new CVD QOF indicators: Achieving QOF targets, aligning with the NHS key aims, and improving patient care
The 2025/26 Network Contract DES has put a sharp focus on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, with new QOF indicators that directly impact practice income. The NHS Long-term plan identified CVD as a clinical priority and “the single biggest condition where lives can be saved over the next 10 years” (NHS, 2019). CVD affects approximately 7m […]
Health Coaching, Chronic Pain, and the DES: Reducing GP strain by supporting the patients who need it most
Across the UK, general practice is under immense pressure. GPs are managing growing demand, increasing complexity, and limited time — a situation that is becoming unsustainable. But what if we could alleviate some of that pressure by focusing on the individuals who use the system the most? A major study by Kontopantelis et al. (2023) […]
The Future of First Contact Physiotherapy
Introduction The concept of having musculoskeletal (MSK) expert physiotherapists sitting as the first point of contact for patients in primary care was initially established in mid 2010. By 2016, national trials were being funded and accessed through clinical commissioning groups (CCG’s). Pure Unity Health was part of the early national trials specifically looking at reducing […]
What are the Challenges in Primary Care?
Primary care plays a critical role as the first point of contact for patients seeking healthcare support. However, as healthcare demands evolve, particularly with the increasing needs of an aging population, primary care faces significant challenges. One of the most pressing concerns is managing the rising number of musculoskeletal (MSK) problems, which account for nearly […]
What does data tell us about what we should expect from a First Contact Physiotherapy service in Primary Care?
The Growing Role of First Contact Physiotherapy in Primary Care Since their widespread introduction in 2019, First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) services have become an integral part of many primary care teams across England. NHS England reports that up to 30% of primary care workload involves musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints, and experienced MSK physiotherapists are well-positioned to […]
What Should Practices and PCNs Expect from a First Contact Physiotherapy Service?
The Role of First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) in Primary Care Practices and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) should expect a First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) or physiotherapy service to provide expert musculoskeletal clinicians. If the service is supported and commissioned by a practice or PCN, the clinicians should receive full clinical, administrative, and developmental support from the […]
Meet the Best Practice London 2025 Team
In just over two weeks, Pure Unity Health will be exhibiting at the Best Practice London 2025 conference, scheduled for February 26-27 at Olympia London. This premier event offers a platform for healthcare professionals to engage, learn, and collaborate on advancements in primary care. Pure Unity Health at Best Practice, London As a leading First […]
What is a First Contact Physiotherapist?
First Contact Physiotherapists: A Guide to Their Role in Primary Care In the evolving landscape of primary care, First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) play a crucial role in addressing the growing demand for musculoskeletal care within GP practices across England. These expert clinicians provide patients with rapid assessments, tailored advice, and personalised exercise plans right from […]
How can I help to embed the ARRS roles within my PCN and practices?
There are several key factors that you need to consider when embedding additional roles into your practice or Primary Care Network (PCN). Since the creation of primary care networks and the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) as part of the NHS Primary Care Long Term Plan in 2019, the question about how to maximise the […]
Pure Shortlisted for the 2025 HSJ Partnership Awards
Pure is thrilled to announce that, in partnership with North West Leicestershire Primary Care Network, we have been shortlisted for the prestigious HSJ Partnership Awards in the category of Data Integration Project of the Year. This award celebrates exceptional commitment to enhancing healthcare and fostering effective collaboration with the NHS. Now in its eighth year, […]
Is FCP worth it?
Following a chat with Tara Humphrey on THC’s The Business of Healthcare Podcast and discussions over recent months with PCN Clinical Directors, Practice Managers, and GP Partners around workforce planning, there appears to be a growing desire to assess the impact of the ARRS roles in practice. After all, how can you plan your primary […]
How does a First Contact Physio service help reduce pressure at a GP practice level?
The integration of expert musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapists in GP surgeries has significantly transformed primary care in recent years. This model aims to alleviate the pressure on general practitioners (GPs) by providing specialised care for MSK issues, which constitute a significant portion of primary care visits. By addressing these concerns effectively, first contact physiotherapy (FCP) services […]
Pure physios celebrate two wins at Therapy Expo 2024
Pure Unity Health celebrate two recent wins at the Therapy Expo 2024 Poster Zone. Jack Geraghty, Clinical Training Lead, and Adam Davies, Health and Wellbeing Lead, took home the prestigious awards for Best Audit and Best Poster. 🏆 The Therapy Expo is the UK’s leading event for musculoskeletal (MSK) professionals, drawing thousands of practitioners, researchers, […]
Understanding the roles: First Contact Practitioner vs. traditional rehab physiotherapist
Understanding the difference between a First Contact Physiotherapist and a physiotherapist in a traditional rehabilitation pathway is essential to fully benefit from their distinct roles. Specialist MSK First Contact Physiotherapy Practitioners The First Contact Practitioner role was introduced widely with the NHS Long Term Plan, published in 2019. The goal of First Contact Practitioners […]
Video: Are you getting the best from your FCP service?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUzPyjLr06s This presentation was delivered to attendees at Best Practice London 2023. In this video, Phin Robinson, Founder & Managing Director of Pure Physiotherapy, discusses the musculoskeletal (MSK) challenges encountered in primary care and how they can be addressed. He highlights the role of First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) and what the primary focus should be […]
What are PCNs?
PCNs In the NHS, a Primary Care Network is a group of GP practices working together alongside other healthcare providers to deliver a wide range of services to their local population. PCNs are a key part of the NHS long term plan and help provide support for all patients. The network provides structure and funding […]
An evaluation of FCP clinical effectiveness and costs
Integrating clinical research and NHS policy into Pure Unity Health’s FCP service delivery. In this blog we review the 2024 article published in the British Journal of General Practice, looking at the clinical effectiveness, health policy, and financial benefit of the First Contact Physiotherapy integration in primary care. Walsh, N., et al. (2024). First Contact […]
3 Reasons Why FCP Services Fail
Having been invited to be part of the early First Contact Practitioner (FCP) trials back in 2016, we have learned a huge amount about the ‘dos and don’ts’ of running an effective FCP service. Pure Physiotherapy now supports numerous Primary Care Networks across the country, with a clinically focused team of hundreds of FCP physiotherapists. […]
Alternative models for utilising ARRS funding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obOUyjkwaqA In this blog we explore the alternative models for utilising the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme funding (ARRS), which is currently being provided by NHS England until the 31st of March 2024. Following this date, it is understood that current ARRS funding will be wrapped into the core funding for PCN’s and GP practices. There […]
FCP clinical governance
Creating an efficient and effective First Contact Physiotherapy service for your Primary Care Network Phin Robinson is the Founder and Director of Pure Physiotherapy, who works with over 220 Primary Care Networks with a team of over 450 First Contact Practitioners. Phin is an Ambassador for Health Education England around the FCP roles, as well […]
How Does an FCP Model Work with PCNs?
What is ARRS? In order to support PCNs, The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) was introduced in England in 2019. This scheme provides funding for 26,000 additional roles to support recruitment for general practices. This scheme provides reimbursement for PCNs to develop their workforce capacity, and this is expected to increase to £891 million in […]