Physicians Associates will be regulated by law under new plans

News - 30 June 2026

To better protect the public, the Government are proposing that Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates become properly regulated by the General Medical Council.

This change comes as part of a Government consultation called 'Reforming the General Medical Council legislative framework' which outlines other regulatory reforms.

To do this, they will be called 'physician assistant' and 'physician assistant in anaesthesia' to make it clearer to patients that they are not qualified doctors. These two new job titles will be protected in law (rather than just being professional titles) and it will become an offence for anyone to use the titles ‘physician assistant in anaesthesia’ or ‘physician assistant’ the UK without being registered with the General Medical Council.

Background to the changes: The Leng Review - an independent review into physician associate and anaesthesia associate professions

An independent review of the physician associate and anaesthesia associate professions in England was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in November 2024 and was led by Professor Gillian Leng CBE.

The report highlighted widespread confusion from patients, in particular around the name and role of the professions. This was echoed in our own research. In 2024, we asked residents about their experiences GP care. On the whole, when people reported that when they had seen a Physician Associate, they were dissatisfied with their appointment.

Professor Leng found that the majority of people, particularly patient groups, expressed concern that patients were unclear about who they were being treated by. The Leng Review made these two recommendations:

The role of physician associate should be renamed as ‘physician assistant’, reflecting the role as a supportive, complementary member of the medical team.

Anaesthesia associates should be renamed as ‘physician assistants in anaesthesia’ or PAA and should continue working within the boundaries set in the interim scope of practice published by the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

“My practice has introduced the physician associates without informing patients of their status. They are NOT qualified. I would prefer to see a nurse. The 'Patient Navigators' refer to them as "nearly Doctors"'.

Milton Keynes resident