Written question WQ95902
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 4 days
Question
Will the Welsh Government urgently review the expansion of medical associate professionals roles in the Welsh NHS and the risks they poses to patient safety, in light of the recommendations of the British Medical Association?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
The independent review of Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates, led by Professor Gillian Leng CBE, will specifically consider the safety of the roles and their contribution to multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
The call for evidence was launched on 21 February and is open for four weeks. The review welcomes contributions from organisations and individuals and, when complete, will make recommendations to inform future government policy.
Devolved governments attend monthly catch-up meetings with the Leng Review group and my officials represent Welsh interests.
Medical associates play an important role in the NHS in Wales, but we are clear they are there to support the work of doctors, not replace them. While these roles can work autonomously, they must always work under the supervision of a named, fully trained and experienced doctor.
Medical associates work across wide range of medical specialities, providing services to patients and supporting clinical staff. Any further expansion of this workforce should be underpinned by robust evidence of the benefit that can be derived from these roles in specific settings and contexts.
The powers to regulate Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates are reserved by the UK Government and from December 2024, the General Medical Council became the regulator.
In Wales, a tripartite group has been established including HEIW, the BMA and Welsh Government to look at physician associate governance arrangements.