I have received a number of correspondences who have shared concerns over patient safety. I hope to address some of the worries raised.
The Government’s legislation to allow the General Medical Council (GMC) to regulate anaesthesia associates (AAs) and physician associates (Pas) builds on existing measures being taken to strengthen the training and competency of these roles over the past decade.
Whilst the BMA’s survey suggests a lack of awareness among patients of AAs and PAs, the physician associate (PA) title has in fact been well established in the United Kingdom since 2014 and the Government has no plans to change the titles of PAs or AAs.
The Government is also clear that AAs and PAs are not and should never be referred to as medical practitioners, doctors or consultants. PAs and AAs are not replacements for doctors, but play an increasingly important role in supporting their work.
