Physician associates to be renamed

A government-ordered review has concluded that physician associates in the NHS will be renamed to prevent patients from mistaking them for doctors. The review, led by Prof Gillian Leng, found that the current title causes widespread confusion and poses risks to patient safety.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to accept the recommendation, with possible new titles including “physician assistants” or “doctors’ assistants”. The final report, due later this month, will also emphasize that those in these roles must clearly inform patients that they are assistants, not fully qualified doctors.

Concerns over physician associates have grown following high-profile patient deaths, including cases where misdiagnoses led to fatal outcomes. The British Medical Association and other medical bodies have long called for a reassessment of their role in the NHS.

A Department of Health and Social Care source said:

“It’s clear there’s a legitimate problem of patients not knowing who they are seen by, which is their basic right. It is likely the review will make recommendations to address this problem, including changing the titles of PAs.”

“The secretary of state asked Prof Gillian Leng to produce an independent review into PAs and AAs that will provide certainty to patients and staff across the NHS.

“We will consider its findings in full once it has been completed.”

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