Responding to the approval in the House of Commons of the draft Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates Order 2024, Prof Phil Banfield, BMA chair of council, said:

“The rubberstamp approval of this potentially harmful legislation by the House of Commons is hugely disappointing. MPs have consented to the blurring of the roles of doctor and PA, and in so doing, risked thousands of patients believing they will be getting care from a doctor when they will not. It is dismaying for this fundamental change to patient care to have been carried out by a legislative process outside the public’s knowledge or control, notwithstanding the powerful contributions of those individual MPs who listened to both their constituents and the medical profession and raised their voice against it.

“The Health and Care Professions Council is the appropriate regulator for these roles - not the General Medical Council, the doctors’ regulator. As this legislation moves to the House of Lords, we urge its members to raise objections and stop this damaging change.”

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.