Professor Leng has now completed her review into the safety and effectiveness of the physician associate and anaesthesia associate roles. The following conclusions have been made.
This is the official account for the Leng review, an independent review into the role of physician associates and anaesthesia associates. This account will share information and updates on the review, as well as signposting upcoming events and engagement sessions.
To ensure safe, effective care, new practice boundaries are proposed for PAs:
• No undifferentiated patients
• Minimum 2 years in secondary care before primary care or mental health trusts
• No requests for ionising radiation
• Initial roles reflect defined job descriptions
Role clarity is essential. The Review recommends renaming the roles to physician assistant and physician assistant in anaesthesia, with clearer identifiers like name badges, lanyards, and uniforms.
At a meeting with key stakeholders Professor Leng discussed initial evidence that will inform our review into physician and anaesthesia associates. (1/4)
This week, in light of a media story about potential review recommendations, Professor Leng released the statement below to key stakeholders, which we are also sharing here. The Review team have not discussed recommendations, still in their draft stages, with the press. (1/3)
It has been carried out amid a backdrop of understandable concerns and uncertainty for the affected staff groups, as well as confusion over transparency for patients. (3/4)
“The Review's aim is to provide pragmatic, sensible recommendations based on the best available evidence. Whatever speculation you might have read in the media, I will share the findings and recommendations of the report with the impacted organisations first as promised.” (2/3)
Throughout this process the Review has gathered as much information as possible from a range of sources in order to set out as comprehensive position as possible. (2/4)
On Friday 2nd May, we hosted a roundtable meeting with the leads from local @HealthwatchE groups.
The meeting focussed on the PA role and discussed scope of practice, efficacy and safety, the myriads of roles within the NHS, training, and patient feedback.
PAs and AAs deserve clear career progression. The Review recommends:
• developing an advanced role
• further training and credentialing—aligned with Royal Colleges.
• New faculties, hosted by royal colleges to ensure professional leadership, accountability and standards