PA union loses High Court bid for temporary block on Leng review changes

Credit: Getty/BrasilNut1

By Daniel Pye at the High Court in London

A union has lost a High Court bid to temporarily block NHS England from proceeding with changes to the roles of physician and anaesthesia associates after the Leng review.

United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs) wanted to halt the implementation of the recommendations until the conclusion of the judicial review it is bringing against NHS England and health secretary Wes Streeting.

However, Justice Ian Dove denied the injunction at a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday.

Shortly after the Leng review was published the government announced it would accept all the recommendations, including a name change to physician assistants and that PAs should not be caring for untriaged patients.

Patrick Green KC, for the union, said that a temporary injunction should be granted to “maintain the status quo” before the full challenge is heard.

Mr Green told the court that the recommendations affect the titles, employment, scope of practice and careers of PAs and AAs.