NEWS: Hear the issues and concerns about the PA role addressed at the RCP extraordinary general meeting.
The RCP Council met last week to discuss the request for an EGM in relation to physician associates. "In line with our byelaws Council has agreed to proceed with holding an EGM within 8 weeks, the exact date to be confirmed as soon as possible"
Issues raised in a series of Council meetings in October and November 2023 include:
- Patient knowledge: Patients need more clarity on the PA role.
- Scope: More clarity is needed on the scope of practice and supervision of PAs.
- Regulation: Regulation of the profession is also urgently needed to uphold patient safety
- Support and supervision: Current discussions about the PA profession are having a particularly negative impact on many currently working in the NHS.
"To ensure that all our subscribing physician members have an opportunity to share their views, a survey will be commissioned with the results forming papers to be distributed ahead of the EGM"
"RCP Council is supportive of PAs but is clear that they are not a replacement for doctors; rather, they are supplementary members of the multidisciplinary team. The RCP is determined to use all the levers we have to improve NHS working environments, the design and delivery of training, and the retention of all doctors."
Read the Council update on physician associates here
Read the RCP article detailing the extra-ordinary general meeting here
Learn more about the PA role:
Supporting & Developing the Role of the Physician Associate
Friday 2nd February 2024, Virtual CPD Conference
Reduced delegate rate for Registered and Trainee Physician Associates
This one day virtual conference focuses on developing the role of the Physician Associate in your service, how the demonstrated benefits of the role can support you and your service and improve patient care. The conference will also look at developing the role of the Physician Associate in practice and effective integration into the multidisciplinary team.
Register today: https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/virtual-online-courses/supporting-developing-the-role-of-the-physician-associate
