NHS to Review Physician Associates' Role Over Safety Concerns

The UK government initiates an independent review to assess the impact of physician associates on patient safety and healthcare delivery.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has commissioned Professor Gillian Leng to lead an independent review of physician and anaesthesia associates in the NHS.
The review aims to address concerns about patient safety, transparency, and the roles of physician associates, who are not fully qualified doctors.
The number of physician associates in England is projected to increase from 3,500 to 10,000 by 2037, raising concerns about their scope of practice.
Recent cases, including deaths attributed to misdiagnoses by physician associates, have intensified calls for clearer guidelines and regulations.
The review will gather input from a wide range of stakeholders to ensure safe and effective integration of physician associates into healthcare teams.