Wes Streeting pledges to address concerns surrounding physician associates

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Wes Streeting has pledged to address concerns around the roles of physician associates and those working in anaesthesia. The Health Secretary told the Commons he would “grip” the issue of doctor substitution and transparency for patients, with further announcements coming “shortly”. There are legitimate concerns within the professions about scope of practice, about doctor substitution, and also about transparency for patients Wes Streeting The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges is among those calling for a review into PAs and anaesthesia associates to “clarify claims around their safety and usefulness in patient-facing roles”. The MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket said: “Would the ministers explain what plans they have – if any – to limit the scope of practice of anaesthetic associates and physician associates, about which there has been such publicity lately?” Mr Streeting replied: “The medical associate roles can and do play a valuable role in freeing up other clinicians’ time to do the things only they can do.