Time To Move On From Physician Associates?
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Shivam Raja
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BMA raises concerns over patient safety: the risks of Physician and Anaesthesia Associates in the NHS
The British Medical Association (BMA) has published shocking testimony from doctors of patient safety concerns caused by the NHS’s use of Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates.
What is a Physician Associate and Anaesthesia Associate?
Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates are not doctors.
They do not have the same responsibilities or level of training as doctors. Physician Associate responsibilities are typically: taking medical histories from patients, performing physical examinations, diagnosing illnesses, seeing patients with long-term chronic conditions, performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, analysing test results, developing management plans and providing health promotion, and disease prevention advice for patients. Crucially, physician associates are not allowed to order X-Rays or prescribe medication to patients.
To avoid any confusion, Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates are supposed to wear distinct badges or lanyards clearly marked with their role, and they are required to inform patients of their job title. Despite this, a recent study found that the majority of people are deeply confused by the growing number of Physician Associates and wrongly assume they are doctors.
BMA’s Findings
The testimony, collected via an online reporting portal between November 2023 and February 2025, identified the following serious safety concerns:
- Physician Associates making incorrect clinical decisions in place of doctors.
- Physician Associates introducing themselves as doctors.
- Physician Associates prescribing medication, which is something they are not permitted to do.
- Physician Associates taking part in surgical procedures that they are not qualified for.
The testimony has been submitted to the ongoing government commissioned Leng Review, which is an independent review into the roles of Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates, and is due to publish its findings this summer.
The BMA has also called for urgent interim safety measures while the Leng Review is ongoing. These include: the immediate halt to recruitment and expansion of Physician Associate and Anaesthesia Associate roles; the implementation of the BMA’s safe scope of practice and supervision guidance; and an immediate investigation into Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates being placed on doctor rotas.
It was hoped that the introduction of Physician Associates would ease the pressure on junior doctors by taking on smaller jobs. However, their role needs to be examined more carefully as the line between doctor and Physician Associate is blurred. Without further action, it is likely that we will see the same issues repeating themselves, more negative outcomes for patients and as a result more clinical negligence claims which come at a huge cost to the NHS.
Contact Osbornes Law
If you’ve suffered due to poor medical care, our Medical Negligence solicitors are here to support you. Our expert solicitors will be able to guide you through the NHS complaints process and advice you on whether or not a claim for medical negligence is possible. Contact Osbornes Law by:
- Filling in our online enquiry form; or
- Calling us on 020 7485 8811
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