Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with universities offering courses for physician associates and anaesthesia associates about the impact of accepting the recommendations of the Leng Review on future recruitment of students.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In taking forward the independent review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, Professor Leng engaged with organisations including the Physician Associate Schools Council, and specific higher education institutions.

We will continue to engage with a broad range of stakeholders as we develop a clear implementation plan to address the Review’s 18 recommendations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of accepting the recommendations of the Leng Review, published on 16 July, on the health and wellbeing of physician associates and anaesthesia associates.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician and anaesthesia associate, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams.

NHS England has written to National Health Service trusts, integrated care boards and primary care networks reiterating their responsibilities to their staff as employers, including providing pastoral support where required. Importantly, it has also written directly to staff most affected by the recommendations setting out where they can find support if required.

Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual NHS employers at a local level, physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia can play a vital role in the delivery of the shifts set out in the 10-Year Health Plan for England. Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Leng Review, published on 16 July, on the recruitment and employability of physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician and anaesthesia associate, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams.

NHS England has written to National Health Service trusts, integrated care boards and primary care networks reiterating their responsibilities to their staff as employers, including providing pastoral support where required. Importantly, it has also written directly to staff most affected by the recommendations setting out where they can find support if required. Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual NHS employers at a local level, physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia will continue to play an important role in the NHS.

Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to prevent NHS employers from making physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia redundant following the Leng Review, published on 16 July.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician and anaesthesia associate, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams.

NHS England has written to National Health Service trusts, integrated care boards and primary care networks reiterating their responsibilities to their staff as employers, including providing pastoral support where required. Importantly, it has also written directly to staff most affected by the recommendations setting out where they can find support if required. Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual NHS employers at a local level, physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia will continue to play an important role in the NHS.

Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of recommendation 4 of the Leng Review, published 16 July, that physician associates should not see undifferentiated patients except within clearly defined national clinical protocols, on (1) waiting times and (2) patient access to care.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Leng Review was clear that for patient safety reasons, physician assistants should not see undifferentiated patients except within clearly defined national clinical protocols. NHS England has written to National Health Service trusts, integrated care boards, and primary care networks, as well as to the staff most affected by the recommendations, to set out the immediate implications of the recommendations. In its letter to employers, NHS England set out that current physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia should remain in post, with their deployment aligned to the recommendations of the review.

The Department, alongside NHS England, royal colleges, and other system partners, including representatives of doctors, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will develop a detailed implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations, which will consider all relevant factors. Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care, and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will consult the United Medical Associate Professionals before taking further action in relation to the Leng Review, published on 16 July.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In taking forward the independent review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, Professor Leng sought evidence from a range of voices including patients, staff groups, employers within the National Health Service, professional bodies, and academics. This included United Medical Associate Professionals.

We will continue to engage with a broad range of stakeholders as we develop a clear implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to establish a permanent faculty to provide professional leadership for physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 16 July 2025, Professor Gillian Leng published her review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, now to be renamed physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia.

Professor Leng set out 18 recommendations that will give much-needed clarity, certainty, and confidence to staff and patients. The Government is accepting these recommendations in full. Some actions will be implemented immediately, whilst others will require wider input, with benefits being fully realised over time.

The Department, alongside NHS England, royal colleges, and other system partners, including representatives of doctors, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will develop a detailed implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect a formal certification and credentialling programme to be in place for physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 16 July 2025, Professor Gillian Leng published her review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, now to be renamed physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia.

Professor Leng set out 18 recommendations that will give much-needed clarity, certainty, and confidence to staff and patients. The Government is accepting these recommendations in full. Some actions will be implemented immediately, whilst others will require wider input, with benefits being fully realised over time.

The Department, alongside NHS England, royal colleges, and other system partners, including representatives of doctors, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will develop a detailed implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to produce national clinical protocols to allow physician assistants to see undifferentiated patients.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 16 July 2025, Professor Gillian Leng published her review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, now to be renamed physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia.

Professor Leng set out 18 recommendations that will give much-needed clarity, certainty, and confidence to staff and patients. The Government is accepting these recommendations in full. Some actions will be implemented immediately, whilst others will require wider input, with benefits being fully realised over time.

The Department, alongside NHS England, royal colleges, and other system partners, including representatives of doctors, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will develop a detailed implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they will use in the review, due in 2026, to decide whether to publish retained papers relating to allegations of a security service plot against Harold Wilson.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Records relating to the above matter will be reviewed in accordance with the requirements of the Public Records Act 1958.

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