Government Commences Review of Physician Associates Role in NHS
The government has initiated a review of the role of physician associates within the NHS, following concerns raised about patient safety. Led by Professor Gillian Leng, president of the Royal Society of Medicine, the review aims to assess how these roles impact safety and support wider healthcare teams, including GPs. The findings of the review, expected in the spring, will also provide recommendations on how these roles should be structured in the future.
Currently, there are plans to increase the number of physician associates in England from 3,500 to 10,000 by 2036/37, along with hiring an additional 2,000 anaesthesia associates. This review was prompted by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which highlighted mounting concerns from doctors regarding the impact of physician associates and anaesthesia associates on patient safety, allocation of doctors’ time, and overall care quality. The Royal College of GPs has issued guidelines stipulating that physician associates should only see patients triaged by a GP and undertake tasks delegated by their GP supervisor.
The use of physician associates has garnered attention due to incidents where patients were treated by associates without their knowledge, leading to critical errors. For example, a woman tragically passed away after a drain was mistakenly left in her abdomen for 21 hours by a physician associate. Another patient died due to a misdiagnosis by a physician associate who failed to identify a serious condition. These incidents have raised concerns about transparency, supervision, and the adequacy of training for physician associates.
In response to these challenges, Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised the importance of addressing legitimate concerns surrounding the roles of physician associates. He highlighted the need for clarity on the scope of practice, transparency for patients, and ensuring that the right professionals are placed in appropriate roles. The independent review led by Prof Leng aims to gather evidence from various stakeholders and assess the effectiveness of physician associates and anaesthesia associates in healthcare teams.
Dr Jeanette Dickson, chairwoman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, welcomed the review as an opportunity to ensure safe patient care and enhance training opportunities for resident doctors. The review will focus on recruitment, training, scope of practice, supervision, and professional regulation for physician associates and anaesthesia associates. Stakeholders from the UK and abroad will be consulted to develop a comprehensive understanding of these roles and their integration into healthcare teams.
Acknowledging the importance of physician associates and anaesthesia associates in the NHS, NHS England’s chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, clarified that they are valuable members of the healthcare workforce but not substitutes for doctors. Various medical bodies, including the Royal College of Physicians and the British Medical Council, have expressed support for the review, stressing the need to prioritise patient safety and establish clear guidelines for the roles of physician associates.
In conclusion, the government’s review of physician associates and anaesthesia associates underscores the significance of ensuring patient safety, transparency, and effective integration of these roles within healthcare teams. By addressing concerns and establishing clear guidelines, the review aims to enhance the quality of care provided to patients and support the professional development of healthcare practitioners within the NHS.
Summary:
The government has launched a review of the roles of physician associates and anaesthesia associates in the NHS following concerns about patient safety and care quality. Led by Professor Gillian Leng, the review will assess the impact of these roles and make recommendations for their future implementation. Stakeholders from various medical bodies and healthcare organisations will provide input to ensure the safe and effective integration of physician associates and anaesthesia associates within healthcare teams.