UK health chief orders deep-dive into medical staff safety after patient deaths
NHS faces questions about physician associates roles after tragic incidents in hospitals. Health Secretary plans major review of non-doctor medical staff duties and supervision methods
Wes Streeting is looking into physician-associates roles after several safety issues. The NHS currently has about 3‚500 non-doctor medical staff who got just 2-years training; however its dont match full medical education
A review will check how these workers fit in medical teams after some tragic events. Last year‚ 30-year old Emily Chesterton passed away from blood clot after a PA (who she thought was a doctor) missed her diagnosis twice; while Mrs Pollitt died when a PA left medical equipment in her body for 21hrs
Im taking very seriously the concern thats being expressed about physician associates‚ particularly in relation to doctor substitution
Medical groups have strong views on this topic:
- British Medical Association wants to stop hiring PAs
- Royal College of GPs says doctors must see patients first
- Academy of Medical Royal Colleges asks for quick review
The NHS wants to have 10k physician-associates by late 2030s (plus 2k anesthesia staff) but now these plans might change. From 12/2024 General Medical Council will oversee PAs work - which makes some doctors unhappy because it might confuse patients about whos who in hospitals
Current plans show only 4% more GPs coming in next 13 years; while consultant numbers will grow by half. Professor Gillian Leng might lead this important check-up of PA roles‚ looking at safety risks and supervision rules
