Professor Gillian Leng has today published her review of the role of physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) within the NHS, making recommendations about the future of these roles.
The independent review was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in England, Wes Streeting, in November 2024.
Responding to the review, Professor Jugdeep Dhesi, BGS President, said:
The British Geriatrics Society welcomes this report and we extend our thanks to Professor Leng for the significant work and extensive consideration given to the topic. Lack of clarity regarding the training and roles of PAs has caused confusion. In some cases, this has put patients at risk, and it has also had an impact on the training of resident doctors. The Leng report clearly sets out how these roles can be reformed to ensure patient safety and to foster true multiprofessional working across teams. We particularly welcome the recommendations aimed at increasing transparency and ensuring standardisation across roles, including national job descriptions and appraisal. Over the coming weeks, we will review the report in detail and work with stakeholders, including the Royal Colleges, to ensure that the PA role is developed to deliver high quality care for older people as part of the wider team.
As the Leng Review acknowledges, there are relatively few PAs currently working within the NHS. But we know that, with appropriate supervision, they can contribute and be effective, valued members of the multiprofessional team. We remain committed to ensuring that PAs working across geriatric medicine are supported through any changes resulting from the recommendations made in this review."
