GMC defends associate plans as pressure grows

Getty/Joseph Reynolds

The General Medical Council has defended its approach to clinical associate regulation following mounting discontent among doctors.

The Doctors’ Association delivered a letter to the GMC this week outlining its concerns. It was signed by more than 2,800 doctors. While most of the medical royal colleges are also under pressure to intervene.

The Royal College of Radiologists said it agreed with campaigners that the GMC needs to rethink how it assigns registration numbers to associates. It has received a letter signed by 1,000 radiologists.

The Doctors’ Association has raised concerns over registration numbers and also criticised the GMC for not providing a “clearly defined” scope of practice for associates.

In response the GMC said it was “pleased” to support the development of regulation for these “professionals, recognising the important role they can play in the medical workforce”.

It said it hopes to consult on detailed rules early next year if the government proceeds with promised legislation.

It said: “We have already completed a significant amount of work in preparation for regulation. In particular, we have been working to develop policies and processes to support oversight of physician associates’ and anaesthesia associates’ education, the introduction of pre-registration assessments, as well as looking at the standards they will need to meet and the actions we will need to take following any serious breaches of those standards.

“To join our register new and existing physician associates and anaesthesia associates will need to show that they have the knowledge, skills and experience to work safely in the UK, and that there are no outstanding concerns about their fitness to practise.

“This includes employer references, employment history over the last five years and a fitness to practise declaration, to assure us that there are no ongoing or previous concerns about their performance, professionalism or behaviour.”

DA co-chairs, Dr Matt Kneale and Ms Helen Fernandes refer in the letter to the registration number, stating: “This ambiguity could inadvertently foster scope creep, putting patients at risk due to uncertainty about practitioners’ qualifications.

"Furthermore, the absence of a clearly defined scope of practice for PAs and AAs, set by the GMC, is alarming.

“Allowing local settings to establish these boundaries could lead to further confusion and possible exploitation of both doctors and PAs, as well as compromise patient safety.”

Dr Kneale said: “The urgency and seriousness of this situation can’t be understated.

“The rapid move to incorporate physician associates and anaesthesia associates into the GMC’s regulatory oversight not only jeopardises public safety but also undermines their trust in the system.

“The resounding support of 2,870 healthcare professionals speaks volumes about the pervasive concern within the medical profession. We need a complete reexamination of a flawed system that has lost the confidence of many.”

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