Union for physician associates backs legal action over job losses after roles were restricted
The union representing physician associates (PAs) is supporting legal action by scores of members who lost their jobs after the BMA and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) published guidance defining PA roles in medical practice. United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAP), which became a union in December, accused the doctors’ bodies of trying to restrict the roles of associates “unjustifiably.” There are around 3500 PAs and 100 anaesthesia associates working in England, performing some duties which are also carried out by doctors. NHS England has outlined plans to expand their numbers to tackle staffing shortages. The job requires a bachelors degree followed by a further two years of study and associates work in both hospitals and general practice. The General Medical Council took on responsibility for regulating associates in December. Guidance published …
