Doctors urge GMC to publish ‘full responses’ to associate consultation

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By Erin Dean

A doctor campaign group has criticised the General Medical Council for not yet publishing the outcome of its consultation on the forthcoming regulation of physician associates and anaesthesia associates.

Feedback was sought on the proposed rules, standards and guidance for the regulation of PAs and AAs for the 8-week exercise that ended on 20 May.

But the Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) has criticised the medical regulator for not releasing the findings 3 months on.

This “lack of transparency has raised concerns among the public and professionals alike about the GMC's commitment to openness and accountability,” according to DAUK.

The GMC said it had received a total of 3,011 consultation responses, which it was still looking at, and that it would publish a report “at the end of the year”.

This will show how both the consultation and insights from research conducted with members of the public shaped the approach to regulation, a GMC spokesperson said.