An independent review by Prof Gillian Leng says that the Physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs), who assist doctors in GP surgeries and hospitals, should be known as “assistants” to avoid confusing patients.
Physician associates and anaesthesia associates (AAs) were introduced into the NHS in the early 2000s to ease doctors’ workload (but the PAs were more widely deployed by some).
As their numbers grew, concerns were raised about the safety of the roles, the lack of clarity around their responsibilities and the impact they had on junior medics’ work and training.
The British Medical Association has said PAs and AAs were being asked to do tasks they were not meant to do, and the lines with doctors were getting blurred.
The review recommends physician associates should be renamed “physician assistants” to reflect their supportive role in medical teams, not see new patients in primary or emergency care or make a diagnosis and should have at least two years’ hospital experience before working in a GP surgery or mental health trust.
‘Physician Associates’ in Harrow work in various healthcare settings, including many general practices and hospitals, supporting doctors in providing patient care. They can be found at locations like Belmont Health Centre and within the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.
‘Physician Associates’ are in much demand in Harrow and the vacancies have been advertised, for example, (in January 2025) by Health Alliance Primary care network (a group of 7 GP Practices) to recruit experienced or newly qualified Physician Associate.
Physician associates and anaesthesia associates (AAs) were introduced into the NHS in the early 2000s to ease doctors’ workload (but the PAs were more widely deployed by some).
As their numbers grew, concerns were raised about the safety of the roles, the lack of clarity around their responsibilities and the impact they had on junior medics’ work and training.
The British Medical Association has said PAs and AAs were being asked to do tasks they were not meant to do, and the lines with doctors were getting blurred.
The review recommends physician associates should be renamed “physician assistants” to reflect their supportive role in medical teams, not see new patients in primary or emergency care or make a diagnosis and should have at least two years’ hospital experience before working in a GP surgery or mental health trust.
‘Physician Associates’ in Harrow work in various healthcare settings, including many general practices and hospitals, supporting doctors in providing patient care. They can be found at locations like Belmont Health Centre and within the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.
‘Physician Associates’ are in much demand in Harrow and the vacancies have been advertised, for example, (in January 2025) by Health Alliance Primary care network (a group of 7 GP Practices) to recruit experienced or newly qualified Physician Associate.
Harrow Monitoring Group 