The Royal College of General Practitioners has changed its position on physician associates as its governing council votes in opposition of incorporating the role into general practice.
The role of PAs in general practice has dominated the medical agenda for the better part of a year, but – in recognition of the strength of feeling among its members and the various concerns with patient safety – the RCGP has now taken its stand.
When asked if they opposed the role of PAs within general practice settings, the vote showed:
- 61% agreed;
- 31% disagreed; and
- 8% abstained.
New guidance
Despite the vote, the fact remains that around 2,000 PAs are already working in general practice, so the RCGP has now approved three sets of guidance to support the sites already employing PAs.
This will encompass the role’s induction and preceptorship, supervision, and scope of practice – it has been informed by the royal college’s member consultation on the matter earlier this year.
Earlier this year also saw the RCGP update its position on PAs, confirming its ‘red lines’ that were agreed in 2017.
Imminent publication
“It became very clear at today’s Council discussion that we needed to speak out in opposition to the PA role within a general practice setting and I am pleased that our processes have enabled us to do this in a collegiate and democratic way,” said the RCGP’s chair, Professor Kamila Hawthorne.
“We recognise that this new policy position may be unsettling for Physician Associates who are already working in general practice and for their employers, and we hope that our upcoming documents to be published in the coming weeks will provide some clarity on how these roles could be managed where they are in place.”
The RCGP also emphasised that the regulation of PAs must proceed as soon as possible and it will work with the General Medical Council to ensure the differences between doctors and PAs are well pronounced – despite being in opposition of the GMC handling the regulation.
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