Government launches review of Physician Associates

The review follows concerns raised by some doctors and patients about the scope and safety of Physician Associates (PAs).
Smiling Black Man

The review will cover recruitment and training, scope of practice, supervision, and regulation. There is currently no nationally agreed scope of practice for PAs although there are 3,500 PAs working in England and NHS England intends to expand the role to 10,000 by 2036.

The review is due is to be published in spring 2025. Healthwatch England will be submitting comments when invited. 

Earlier this year Healthwatch shared findings from a survey showing that many patients are not aware of the role. Healthwatch England heard about several cases where patients were not made aware of who they were seeing before or during their appointment. In some instances, patients had specially asked to see a doctor but were instead assigned to see a PA.

The Royal College of GPs and the British Medical Association have expressed opposition to PAs working in GP surgeries.

Haringey Patient Participation Group (PPG) Network and communications in North Central London 

The PPG Network meeting in June 2024, facilitated by Healthwatch Haringey, recommended actions for helping patients understand the scope of practice of PAs, how they introduce themselves and how to complain.

The PPG Network asked North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB) to add a PA specific webpage to its website setting out a description of the PA job role, limits of competency, patient choice and how to complain. The Network also recommended distribution of a patient leaflet which made it clear that PAs are not doctors.

Following the announcement of the government review, the ICB paused the production of local leaflets. However, they have included a summary of the PA role on their "Your Local Health Team" pages which, along with information on other Primary Care roles, is being shared with practices as part of a communications toolkit.

The text includes the phrase "Physician associates are not doctors":

Physician associates
Physician associates are clinically trained healthcare professionals who play a supportive role in your local health team. Physician associates are not doctors and must work under the supervision of a named GP. Physician associates can take your medical history, plan your treatment, request and analyse test results and give you advice about your health and wellbeing.