Leading doctors launch legal action over physician associates after Salford woman died
manchestereveningnews.co.ukTop doctors are set to launch legal action against the medical regulator after growing concerns over the use of physician associates.
The British Medical Association (BMA) said it is taking action over the use of PAs - who only have basic-level medical training and aren't qualified doctors - “before it leads to more unintended patient harm”.
It comes after the death of Emily Chesterton, originally from Salford, who was misdiagnosed by a PA on two occasions. An inquest concluded that the physician associate should have sent Emily to a hospital emergency unit, and that if she had been treated, likely would have survived. READ MORE: Prison officer had sex in cell with inmate and sent him Moonpig birthday card signed 'your babyface KK' The 30-year-old had been under the impression that she was seeing a GP, but was actually seen twice by a PA who failed on both occasions to spot that her leg pain and breathlessness was a blood clot, which ultimately travelled to her lungs.
Leading medics have called for a halt of the recruitment of physician associates while concerns are addressed. From December 2024, the GMC will become the regulator for physician associates and anaesthesia associates – known as Medical Associate Professions (MAPs).
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