Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many physician associates are employed in the NHS; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the regulation of physician associates.

Latest data published by NHS England shows that, as of March 2023, there are 1,490 full time equivalent (FTE) physician associates (PAs) working across National Health Service trusts and integrated care boards. In addition, in June 2023 there were a total of 1,805 FTE physician associates working in primary care settings.

The Faculty of Physician Associates at the Royal College of Physicians currently provides professional support to PAs across the United Kingdom. This includes setting standards for education and training. The Faculty also oversees a voluntary register of qualified PAs who have been declared fit to practise in the UK.

Work is ongoing to bring PAs into statutory regulation under the General Medical Council (GMC). We plan to lay legislation before Parliament at the end of 2023, which will allow the GMC to commence regulation by the end of 2024. Regulation by the GMC will provide a standardised framework of governance and assurance for the clinical practice and professional conduct of PAs.