Safer Medical Allied Professions

Protecting patient safety and professional standards

DAUK opposes the Government’s plans to regulate Physician Associates (PAs) and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) through the General Medical Council (GMC). We believe this poses significant risks to patient safety and blurs the critical distinction between doctors and non-doctors.

Our Concerns

• Inadequate training and qualifications – PAs and AAs do not receive the same extensive training as doctors
• Patient safety risks – We have collected nearly 1,000 responses from doctors documenting serious safety concerns
• Professional confusion – GMC regulation blurs the lines between doctors and non-doctors, potentially misleading patients
• Pay disparities – PAs are earning £11,000 more than newly qualified doctors, creating workforce distortions

What We’re Doing

We have collaborated with media to highlight concerns about MAP safety issues and pushed for changes in identifying numbers for PAs in the GMC register to ensure transparency. DAUK donated £30,000 to Anaesthetists United to support their legal challenge against AA regulation by the GMC.

We are encouraging public transparency through consultation data requests and continuing to advocate for a pause in the expansion of PA and AA roles until there is a thorough review of training standards, scope of practice, regulation, and pay disparities.

Our Position

“PAs are not a substitute for doctors, who undergo extensive years of study, training, and acquire high levels of skill essential for patient care.”

We believe in supporting all healthcare professionals in appropriate roles, but patient safety must come first. The NHS needs more doctors, not substitutes for doctors.

Support Our Campaign

• £30,000 donated to Anaesthetists United for legal challenge against GMC regulation
• Nearly 1,000 doctor responses collected on MAP safety concerns
• Support DAUK’s work – Help fund our advocacy
• Get involved: Share your concerns and experiences about PA/AA patient safety