Wider use of physician associates will increase inequality, say UK doctors

Regulator warned of risk to patient safety posed by plan to recruit 10,000 healthcare workers to assist doctorsDoctors are warning the UK medical regulator that wider use of physician associates in the NHS may risk patient safety and lead to greater inequalities in care in deprived areas that struggle to recruit GPs.The government’s plan to recruit 10,000 physician associates – healthcare professionals supervised by doctors – has angered many clinicians who consider the roles ill-defined and a potential threat to patient safety. Continue reading...