BMA Takes Legal Action Against GMC Over Physician and Anaesthesia Associates Regulation, Citing Patient Safety

Jun 24, 2024, 08:58 AM

The British Medical Association (BMA), in conjunction with Anaesthetists United, is taking legal action against the General Medical Council (GMC) over concerns about the regulation of Physician Associates (PAs) and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs). The BMA argues that applying the same standards of good medical practice to PAs and AAs as to doctors, and using the term 'medical professionals' to describe both, could lead to tragic consequences. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the BMA have called for an immediate halt to the recruitment of PAs in general practice, citing patient safety concerns. Despite these warnings, Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has backed the use of PAs. The NHS maintains that it is not trying to replace qualified doctors with PAs, but doctors across the country, including Prof Banfield, have raised alarms about potential risks to patient safety and public outrage is growing.