Physician associate law may confuse patients, says BMA
The House of Lords is being urged to throw out plans for non-doctor associate roles to be licensed by the same body as doctors.
Under a planned new law, physician associates (PAs) will be regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC).
The British Medical Association (BMA) believes this could lead to patients confusing the different roles, which it says could have "tragic consequences".
The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.
There are about 3,200 PAs working in GP surgeries and hospitals in England, with 10,000 more planned in the next decade or so.
They were introduced to help doctors with their work - examining and diagnosing patients and discussing treatments with them - although PAs are currently unregulated.
Unlike doctors, they do not have to hold a medical degree, but they usually have a degree in a life science and have to undertake a two-year training course.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68384747