The regulation of medical associate professions in the UK
We're seeking views on the regulation of medical associate professions (MAPs) in the UK.
Rising demands for medical treatment and advances in clinical care requires a co-ordinated approach and greater skill mix within NHS healthcare teams.
In recent years the health service has seen the emergence and increased use of new professional roles within multi-disciplinary teams as part of a continuing drive to provide safe, accessible and high-quality care for patients.
Four of these roles are:
- physician associate (PA)
- physicians’ assistant (anaesthesia) (PA(A))
- surgical care practitioner (SCP)
- advanced critical care practitioner (ACCP)
As these professionals become more widely employed, it is necessary to explore the options for professional regulation.
This consultation seeks your views on the following proposals:
- To introduce statutory regulation for PAs
- To seek further evidence on the most proportionate level of regulation for PA(A)s
- To seek views on the position that statutory regulation of the SCP and ACCP roles is not proportionate, and whether alternative options for professional assurance should be considered
A consultation document and a risk assessment profile from Health Education England (HEE) are published alongside this consultation.