News alert / Medical associates regulation

Physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) will soon be regulated by the General Medical Council, with the aim of expanding these roles in the NHS to relieve pressure on doctors and GPs. The government is laying legislation to allow the GMC to begin the process of regulating medical associates – medically trained healthcare professionals who work alongside doctors. The GMC will set standards of practice, education and training, and operate fitness-to-practice procedures, ensuring PAs and AAs have the same levels of regulatory oversight and accountability as doctors and other regulated healthcare professionals. The regulations will come into force at the end of 2024.