Regulation of physician associates and anaesthesia associates begins

Published 16 December 2024

Dear colleagues
 I’m pleased to confirm that on 13 December 2024 we began regulating physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) and today, registration has opened for these two professions.

These significant milestones are the result of extensive collaboration with a wide range of organisations representing patients, doctors, PAs, AAs, employers and educators since 2019, when we were asked to take on this role by the Department of Health and Social Care with the support of the devolved administrations.

Together, we’ve laid the foundation for a regulatory framework that will strengthen patient safety and increase public trust in these roles. Regulation will help provide assurance to patients, employers, and colleagues that PAs and AAs have the right level of education and training to meet our registration requirements; that they can meet the professional standards we expect of those we regulate; and can be held to account if serious concerns are raised.

As we move forward, we remain committed to working with our partners across all four countries of the UK to ensure that regulation is implemented effectively. Below, I’ve outlined what to expect.

A robust regulatory framework

The rules, standards and guidance for how we’ll regulate PAs and AAs were formally approved by our governing Council on 13 December 2024. They cover all aspects of our regulatory functions including education and training, registration, standards, and fitness to practise.

Once registered, PAs and AAs will be required to follow the professional standards and behaviour set out in Good medical practice. This includes working within their competence and introducing themselves and their role in patient care.

We’re also developing a revalidation model that will help ensure PAs and AAs remain up to date and continue to meet our standards once they’ve registered with us. We’ll share more information as this work progresses throughout 2025.

Opening the PA and AA register

By the end of January 2025, we’ll invite all PAs and AAs currently on the voluntary registers to apply for registration. We encourage those who are not on the relevant voluntary register to visit our website and apply for registration directly. We’d be grateful for your support in sharing this message to PAs and AAs working across the UK’s health services.

Our public facing registers make it easy to identify whether an individual is a doctor, PA, or AA. We’ve used clear labelling to ensure that patients and the public can access information about who is caring for them. Likewise, employers will be able to search the three professions on our register.

Looking ahead

The lead up to regulation beginning has been challenging with the discussion surrounding the future deployment of PAs and AAs continuing. We look forward to the outcome of Professor Gillian Leng’s review into PA and AA professions in England, commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. We hope this review will provide valuable clarity and assurance for patients, doctors, PAs, and AAs alike.

I hope this update has been helpful. As we commence this new chapter, we remain grateful for your continued collaboration.

Best wishes,

Charlie Massey 

Chief Executive and Registrar
General Medical Council

Sent to:

  • Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
  • Chief Medical Officers in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
  • Department of Health and Social Care England
  • Government officials in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
  • Health Education and Improvement Wales
  • NHS Confederation
  • NHS Education for Scotland
  • NHS Employers
  • NHS England
  • NHS Providers
  • Northern Ireland Medical & Dental Training Agency