BMA demands inquiry into use of physician associates on medical rotas

The BMA has urged the government to launch an independent inquiry into hospitals’ use of physician associates (PAs) to replace doctors on medical rotas. The association has asked the health and social care secretary, Victoria Atkins. to examine how widespread the practice is in England, how it has been allowed to happen, and what action is needed to end it.The BMA said it was making the call in response to reports from its members of gaps in medical rotas being filled by physician associates and to a recent investigation by the Telegraph that revealed evidence of physician associates taking on doctors’ shifts at more than 30 hospitals.1 Phil Banfield, BMA chair council said, “It is time for the health secretary to launch an independent investigation to uncover the full extent of what is essentially a patient safety scandal. She has some very difficult questions to answer about how this has…
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