Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to consider the viewpoints of physician associates and anaesthesia associates in ongoing regulatory consultations since the Leng Review.

The independent Leng Review involved the College of Medical Associate Professionals, the United Medical Associate Professionals, and the Association of Anaesthesia Associates, as well as professional bodies representing doctors, in the development of its recommendations for physician assistants (PAs) and physician assistants in anaesthesia (PAAs), still legally known as physician associates and anaesthesia associates respectively.

The Department and NHS England continue to regularly meet with these groups as implementation is progressed, with the aim of supporting clear and effective ways of working for multidisciplinary teams and strengthened working relationships, in line with the review’s recommendations.

The Department is currently running public consultations, as part of the broader reforms to the General Medical Council’s governing legislation, on proposals to change the professional titles of these roles in legislation, in line with recommendations one and nine of the review. All responses, including those from former, current, and prospective PAs and PAAs as well as relevant representative bodies, other organisations, and members of the public, will be analysed and considered as part of this process.

We do not hold information on how many qualified PAs and PAAs are not currently in employment.