Written question WQ95004
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
Will the Welsh Government be working with health boards to better define the role and limitations of physician associates in the Welsh NHS?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
From next month, the General Medical Council will become the regulator for physicians associates (PA). Regulation will assure patients, colleagues and employers that PAs are safe to practice and can be held to account if serious concerns are raised. The powers to regulate PAs are reserved by the UK Government.
A tripartite group has been established by NHS Wales Employers, including representatives from Health Education Improvement Wales (HEIW), Welsh Government and the British Medical Association, and is tasked with developing a framework for the safe and effective deployment of PAs in Wales. This work is ongoing.