Physician assistants

It challenges the GMC’s decision not to set out a defined scope of practice for PAs and PAAs. AU is still short of funds and is asking for support to continue its appeal. DAUK has been an early and consistent supporter of this crucial legal action, and contributed £30,000 to AU’s crowdfunding efforts. Our co-chair Dr Matt Kneale said the appeal represented an important step in ensuring patient safety.

Scope of practice

Dr Kneale said: “Questions around their regulation, scope of practice, supervision, and ultimately patient safety need to be answered. “Patients deserve to know exactly who is treating them, what their role is, and what their qualifications are. “Without a nationally defined scope of practice, the lines between doctors and non-doctors are blurred. “There is real danger that PAs and PAAs could be asked to work beyond their training.

Protecting patients

“This appeal is about protecting patients and safeguarding professional standards, and it has our full support.” AU has applied to the judge for permission to appeal the ruling. The appeal is to Mrs Justice Lambert, who heard the original case. If the appeal be rejected, AU can make a submission to the Court of Appeal. Read details of the appeal. For more information on how to support this crucial legal challenge, please visit the Anaesthetists United donations page.

Physician assistants

“While we recognise that PAs and PAAs need to be regulated, we maintain that it must be done by the most appropriate body, which is not the GMC. “Despite the High Court verdict, our concerns remain that their regulation poses significant risk to patient safety. “The fundamental issues of scope of practice, of supervision, and of who is responsible for these assistants and their work is still to be addressed. “And with the GMC still refusing to address those issues, it will fall on every single NHS institution to do so. Clearly that can’t be right. “Instead of a clear, nationally agreed framework, we will have a fragmented system with regulation of PAs and PAAs set by individual institutions.

Patient safety

“How will the GMC enforce such a system and protect patient safety and maintain public confidence? “We will review this ruling carefully and continue to work with other organisations and policymakers to press for the regulation of PAs and PAAs that puts patient safety first.” DAUK is led by frontline doctors for frontline doctors. Please support our work by joining DAUK or donating to our GoFundMe.