Children's doctors urge NHS to halt hiring of physician associates on paediatric wards to save money over safety fears By Shaun Wooller Health Editor Published: 00:51, 1 November 2024 | Updated: 00:51, 1 November 2024 e-mail View comments The NHS should stop recruiting physician associates on paediatric wards because of concerns over safety, children’s doctors say. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has called for an immediate ‘pause’ until there are clearer guidelines on how they are deployed. It follows a ‘comprehensive consultation’ with its members on their views and experiences of physician associates (PAs), who undergo less rigorous training than doctors.
Over 2,000 paediatricians in the UK responded to a survey, with 80 per cent of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that ‘PA recruitment should be halted whilst the NHS develops structures for appropriate deployment of PAs’. Some 94 per cent said the NHS should centrally define a training framework and scope of practice for PAs across their specialty work areas. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has called for an immediate ‘pause’ until there are clearer guidelines on how they are deployed The move comes after the Royal College of General Practitioners and British Medical Association also formally opposed their use PAs only have to complete a two-year postgraduate course, rather than a medical degree The move comes after the Royal College of General Practitioners an.