GMC regulation of physician associates and anaesthesia associates to begin

The General Medical Council (GMC) will begin regulating physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) from this Friday, 13 December.

Registration for PAs and AAs will open from Monday, 16 December. A small number will receive an invitation to apply for registration before the end of the month, and all PAs and AAs on existing voluntary registers will have received their invitations by the end of January 2025.

There are thought to be around 5,000 PAs and 200 AAs in the UK. From December 2026 it will be an offence to practise as a PA or AA in the UK without registration.

To join the register of PAs and AAs, individuals will need to complete an application and provide evidence, including their qualifications and, where relevant, work history and references, to show they meet the GMC’s standards.

GMC Chief Executive Charlie Massey said:

"We are looking forward to becoming the regulator of these professions and I am sure it will also be an exciting time for them. I have met many physician associates and anaesthesia associates in recent months and have seen how they work with doctors and others in teams providing excellent care for patients.

‘There have been challenges along the way, but we are about to see a step change in regulation. For the first time, patients, employers and colleagues will be assured that physician associates and anaesthesia associates have the necessary education and training, meet our standards, and can be held to account if serious concerns are raised."

Source: General Medical Council, 12 December 2024