Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the status of the guidance issued by the British Medical Association in its report Safe Scope of Practice for Medical Associate Professionals (MAPs) in relation to Physician and Anaesthesia Associates.

The Government considers scope of practice guidance for Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) and Physician Associates (PAs) to be a matter for the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) respectively, in conjunction with key stakeholders including other medical royal colleges, the Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA), and the Association of Anaesthesia Associates.

The current scope of practice guidance for AAs, which is applicable across the United Kingdom, is published on the RCoA website. The FPA, which is hosted by the RCP, has also published guidance documents relating to the PA curriculum, code of conduct, and supervision. We understand that both the RCoA and the RCP are currently developing further guidance in collaboration with stakeholders, in relation to supervision and scope of practice.

Once regulation begins, the General Medical Council’s published learning outcomes for AAs and PAs will also apply. This sets out a pre-qualification education framework and the outcomes expected of newly qualified AAs and PAs, including professional behaviours and capabilities and minimum expectations for the knowledge and skills required. In addition, employers of AAs and PAs are responsible for ensuring that appropriate governance and supervision are in place, and that individuals within their employment are practicing within their competence.