Specialist area
First Contact Practice
What do First Contact Practitioner (FCP) dietitians help with?
FCP Dietitians work in GP practices. We can see patients at ‘first contact’. This means if a patient calls their GP practice with a complaint that we can deal with, the patient will see us first. We can then make a diagnosis and refer on for specialist care if necessary. We may also be able to manage the patient ourselves in primary care.
We can advise on various aspects of health including diabetes, obesity, digestive disorders, malnutrition and frailty and paediatrics. Some FCPs will work across all these areas and other will be specialists one just one or two, depending on the requirements of the practices they serve.
Who do FCP dietitians help?
There are five areas that First Contact Dietitians (FCDs) can specialise in: diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal conditions, malnutrition and frailty, and paediatrics. However, FCDs often have experience in other areas, which they may also be able to advise on, even if they don’t work as FCPs in this area.
How do FCP dietitians work?
Your FCP will complete an assessment of your current symptoms and carry out investigations to make a diagnosis. This may include blood tests, stool samples, blood pressure, height and weight, physical assessments and/or a referral to secondary care for investigations such as a gastroscopy or an ultrasound scan.
Where do FCP dietitians work?
First Contact Dietitians work in Primary Care, which means you will predominantly find them in GP Practices. However, they may also be scope for FCPs to work in Secondary Care.
Further info
- If you are a dietitian working or interested in FCP, join our First Contact Specialist Group.
- Find out more about primary care.