Doctors' union launches legal action against regulator the General Medical Council over 'dangerous blurring of the lines' on role of 'cut price medic' physician associates READ MORE: Doctors slam Wes Streeting for backing physician associates By Shaun Wooller Health Editor For The Daily Mail Published: 07:22 EDT, 24 June 2024 | Updated: 07:23 EDT, 24 June 2024 e-mail View comments The doctors' union is set to launch legal action against the medical regulator amid rising concerns about the use of physician associates. The British Medical Association said it needs to act before the 'uncontrolled experiment' of using lesser qualified staff 'leads to more unintended patient harm'. It said there has been a 'dangerous blurring of lines' for patients between doctors and assistant roles, with some people unaware who is treating them.
And it warned this will be made worse if the General Medical Council (GMC) ploughs ahead with its plan to extend its regulatory powers beyond doctors to also cover PAs. The NHS is rolling out a mass expansion in the use of PAs, despite concerns that patients are being put at risk by workers with insufficient training. The BMA said the General Medical Council needs to act before the 'uncontrolled experiment' of using lesser qualified staff 'leads to more unintended patient harm'.
Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the council at the BMA (pictured), told the union's annual meeting in Belfast: 'Today I want to announce that we are taking legal action ag.
