BMA renews call to ‘immediately halt' expansion of MAPs

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By Sarah Lowden

“Pause the planned expansion of the MAPs workforce while serious patient safety concerns persist”, the British Medical Association has urged NHS England’s chief executive.

The doctors’ union has written an open letter to Amanda Pritchard to say if NHSE was to press ahead with the expansion of medical associate professionals (MAPs) it would be in opposition to the “overwhelming view of the medical profession”.

Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians recently voted to slow the expansion of MAPs, and last year the Royal College of Anaesthetists called for a pause in the increase in anaesthesia associates (AAs).

“We ask, therefore, that you take steps to immediately halt the planned expansion of these roles until there is agreement with the medical profession that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect the public,” Professor Phil Banfield, BMA Council chair, wrote.

He said the union’s surveys have consistently highlighted safety concerns of doctors and the confusion that exists with the public.