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.

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.