Independent review of the physician associate and anaesthesia associate roles: final report

The Independent report by Professor Gillian Leng CBE looking at the safety and effectiveness of physician associates and anaesthesia associates. It gives a thorough assessment of the safety and effectiveness of physician and anaesthesia associates in the NHS.

NHS England welcomes the review, and has written to organisations employing PAs and AAs setting out immediate steps that need implementing in response.

The report may create uncertainty and employers are expected to continue to support affected staff members. A letter has been sent to PAs and AAs and colleagues are asked to support in ensuring this reaches them.

The NHS is reliant on a multidisciplinary workforce to provide high quality care for patients, and PAs and AAs play a vital and valuable role within the health service. Over the next weeks and months NHS England will work with trusts, primary care providers, government, and partners to implement the recommendations of the review to integrate these roles in a safe and effective manner, supporting colleagues and planning for the future of healthcare delivery.