Laura Donnelly, health editor
18 SEPTEMBER 2017 • 6:01AM
Shortages of doctors are risking safety in some areas, medics have said
Shortages of doctors are risking safety in some areas, medics have said
CREDIT: PA
The NHS is attempting to train or recruit up to 3,200 “physician associates” who can carry out minor operations and carry out ward rounds, after just two years' training.
Medical leaders have issued new guidance in order to expand the programme, amid shortages of medics.
The new role is not supposed to substitute for a doctor, though the associates can carry out some of the tasks they normally do.
Senior medics have raised concerns that the new profession is unregulated, while patients’ groups fear risks if workers end up taking on tasks beyond their capabilities.
Now the NHS is offering relocation packages to those who have trained in the roles abroad.
The NHS is attempting to train or recruit up to 3,200 “physician associates” who can carry out minor operations and carry out ward rounds, after just two years' training.
Medical leaders have issued new guidance in order to expand the programme, amid shortages of medics.
The new role is not supposed to substitute for a doctor, though the associates can carry out some of the tasks they normally do.
Senior medics have raised concerns that the new profession is unregulated, while patients’ groups fear risks if workers end up taking on tasks beyond their capabilities.
Now the NHS is offering relocation packages to those who have trained in the roles abroad.
The NHS by numbers
01:07
The National Physician Associate Expansion Programme is particularly targeting the US, which has more than 100,000 such workers.
The NHS' generous holiday allowance would allow American workers ample time to visit historic sites and exciting cities across Britain, and enjoy jaunts around Europe, it says.
The programme has drawn up plans to recruit “a large number” of physician assistants from the US and place them in four regions in England for two years.
American healthcare workers promised up to £1,000 towards relocation costs, and 41 days paid holiday.
“This means that you will have ample time to explore the rest of the UK where there are many fascinating and historic sites and exciting cities and towns,” the recruitment material says.
“The UK is also perfectly placed for taking trips short trips overseas to other countries. You can reach most European destinations in just a few hours from London which makes the UK a fantastic travel hub from which to explore Europe and even further afield.”
New guidance from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) says some US-trained assistants may also be offered a free flight home every one or two years.
There are currently 350 physician associates working in the health service, with plans to introduce up to 3,200 by 2020, with an extra 1,000 a year after that,
The starting salary of £30,000 is half that of a newly-qualified GP.
Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, said: “It sounds like they are trying to plug the gaps with second-class medics. It is most unsatisfactory and disappointing from a patient point of view.
“I fear it sounds like dumbing down the medical profession", she added, describing the workers as “doctors on the cheap”.
A Department of Health spokesman said: “Physician associates play an important role supporting doctors and nurses, allowing them to spend more time with their patients.
“We are committed to the principle of proportionate regulation of health and care professionals and plan to consult on the regulation of physician associates in 2017.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/18/cut-price-medics-lured-nhs-us-promises-long-holidays-touring/
01:07
The National Physician Associate Expansion Programme is particularly targeting the US, which has more than 100,000 such workers.
The NHS' generous holiday allowance would allow American workers ample time to visit historic sites and exciting cities across Britain, and enjoy jaunts around Europe, it says.
The programme has drawn up plans to recruit “a large number” of physician assistants from the US and place them in four regions in England for two years.
American healthcare workers promised up to £1,000 towards relocation costs, and 41 days paid holiday.
“This means that you will have ample time to explore the rest of the UK where there are many fascinating and historic sites and exciting cities and towns,” the recruitment material says.
“The UK is also perfectly placed for taking trips short trips overseas to other countries. You can reach most European destinations in just a few hours from London which makes the UK a fantastic travel hub from which to explore Europe and even further afield.”
New guidance from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) says some US-trained assistants may also be offered a free flight home every one or two years.
There are currently 350 physician associates working in the health service, with plans to introduce up to 3,200 by 2020, with an extra 1,000 a year after that,
The starting salary of £30,000 is half that of a newly-qualified GP.
Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, said: “It sounds like they are trying to plug the gaps with second-class medics. It is most unsatisfactory and disappointing from a patient point of view.
“I fear it sounds like dumbing down the medical profession", she added, describing the workers as “doctors on the cheap”.
A Department of Health spokesman said: “Physician associates play an important role supporting doctors and nurses, allowing them to spend more time with their patients.
“We are committed to the principle of proportionate regulation of health and care professionals and plan to consult on the regulation of physician associates in 2017.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/18/cut-price-medics-lured-nhs-us-promises-long-holidays-touring/
