Physician Associates Challenge Government Over New Regulations, Citing Patient Care Concerns
london, UK – [Date] – A legal challenge has been launched against new government regulations impacting the roles of Physician Associates (PAs) and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs), with critics arguing the changes will hinder patient care and exacerbate NHS backlogs. The United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs) is leading the case, asserting that the decisions were made without adequate assessment of their impact and appear to be a concession to the British Medical Association (BMA).
Prior to the recent changes, PAs were conducting an estimated 20 million appointments annually.However, employers are now reporting difficulties in managing patient loads as PAs and AAs are reportedly no longer permitted to perform duties for which they are trained. Sneha Naiwal, a partner at Shakespeare Martineau representing UMAPs, stated, “This case is not about resisting change, but about ensuring that change is lawful, evidence-based, and respectful of the professionals who have long served on the front lines of patient care.” Naiwal added that PAs “deserve a meaningful voice in shaping their future, not to be sidelined by decisions taken without full and open engagement.”
the claimants express concern that the current approach could weaken a crucial segment of the clinical workforce and increase pressure on NHS services, ultimately harming both patients and staff.
The government, however, maintains that the review, led by Gillian Leng, was initiated to ensure the highest quality of patient care, provide clarity on who is treating patients, and build confidence in the health system. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson commented, “The health secretary has agreed to implement the recommendations of her report in full, prioritising safety and reassuring patients that, when they seek medical advice for a range of symptoms, they will be seen and diagnosed by a qualified doctor.”
The controversy comes amidst reports of six patient deaths linked to contact with PAs, including the case of Emily Chesterton, 30, who died from a pulmonary embolism after being misdiagnosed twice by a PA who attributed her symptoms to anxiety.The legal challenge suggests that the government’s decision to implement the Leng recommendations in full may have been influenced by the BMA’s campaign against PAs. Critics argue this move could inadvertently amplify the impact of BMA strikes by preventing qualified medical professionals from treating patients effectively.
