For PCNs introducing the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme in line with the Network Contract DES, Ardens has produced a number of resources to support other Health Care Professionals recording activity within the GP practices.


To support First Contact Practitioners managing and treating MSK patients, Ardens has created a data entry form to record information during consultation and associated searches to report on activity. 


First Contact Practitioners Template

The clinical template to capture the data during consultation, can be accessed via the Run Template option within an open consultation (alternatively, outside of a consultation click on the Add > Data using Template option on the EMIS ribbon).


This will launch the Template Picker screen, type in 'First Contact' in the search field provided, to locate the Physiotherapy + First Contact Practitioner (Ardens) template. Double click to launch the template.



The template has been broken down by pages on the left-hand side, to easily navigate to the information you require.


The History page is used to appropriately record details about the patient's appointment, history and background information. Please always ensure you record the Appointment type, Encounter and Source information as this data will be pulled through to the relevant searches. 


The Examination page allows you to record use of a chaperone, any examination findings and to document risk assessment information based on red or yellow flags. 


The Management page can be used to record the appropriateness of the referral, details of the management plan, any advice given to the patient and any test, treatments or referrals.



The Resources page displays links to signposting resources which the patient may find useful. 


Complete the template using the necessary fields and Save the template. 


First Contact Practitioner Searches 

Ardens has provided a suite of searches to help practices identify FCP and MSK activity.  For more information on these searches please see the following support article.




If you require any further assistance on the process above, please contact Ardens support on: support-emis@ardens.org.uk