Why GPs are using fewer physician associates

GPs are cutting back on the use of physician associates (PAs), polling suggests.

A new survey, conducted by the GP magazine Pulse, found that 21% of 425 GP networks in England said they had reduced PA numbers in the last year.

It comes after the Government-ordered Leng Review found PAs have been used as substitutes for doctors, despite having significantly less training.

One of the 18 recommendations in the review was that PAs be banned from seeing patients whom a medic has not reviewed to prevent the risk of “catastrophic” misdiagnoses.

Pulse said that the main reasons GPs gave for cutting back on PAs included: guidance from professional bodies; supervision demands; patient safety concerns and rising complaints.

One GP told Pulse: “We had a PA but now don’t use them because of the change in guidance.

“We can’t afford to pay someone with such limited scope.”

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Source: The Independent, 19 August 2025