It pointed to the potential for safety risks, as seen in the UK, if PAs are regulated by the medical regulator. AHPRA says decision-making falls to health ministers.
The Irish Medical Council says it cannot support medical roles being replaced by non-medical roles, as it points to safety risks born from the role of physician associates in the UK.
On Tuesday, while Queensland Health continues to “analyse feedback”, the Irish Medical Council (IMC) published a position statement on the regulation of physician associates.
The Council stated that, in its opinion, the IMC – Ireland’s equivalent of AHPRA – “is not the appropriate regulatory body for PAs”.
As backing, the council sited the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, which had “no provision to regulate health professionals other than doctors”, and “the potential for emerging patient safety risks arising from confusion for patients, as observed recently because of regulation of PAs by the General Medical Council in the UK”.
The UK has become, in recent times, an example of what not to do when it comes to PAs.
As it stands, a controversial plan for the GMC to regulate PAs in the UK is set to continue.
The IMC said PAs could not be seen as substitutes for doctors.
“The Medical Council cannot support medical roles being replaced with non-medical roles,” it said.
“While PAs are qualified healthcare professionals, they are not autonomous practitioners, and their training, skills and competence are not comparable to that of a registered medical practitioner.”
The Council said that without a clearly defined scope of practice for PAs, lines around professional responsibility and accountability were blurred, causing safety concerns.
“The Medical Council is aware that PAs are being trained and employed in the Irish healthcare system, working under the supervision of doctors to support the provision of healthcare, contribute to patient management, and improve healthcare access,” reads the statement.
“[The Council] considers it essential that these PA roles are defined with respect to their scope of practice.”
The Council said that its paramount concern was “the safety and well-being of patients”.
The clear position has led NHS doctors to call out the GMC on twitter.
Irish equivalent of the GMC says it’s not the appropriate regulator for anyone other than Doctors
— Steve Taylor (🐹) (@DrSteveTaylor) December 4, 2024
GMC had the same view in 2014 as the UK ‘Independent’ Regulator of Doctors
However it was ‘persuaded’ by UK Govts after Charlie Massey joined in 2016 🤔https://t.co/oTGq6cE5lO
The School of Medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons, which offers the only Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies degree in Ireland, welcomed the Council’s statement, noting that it had been advocating for a regulator for PAs since the role was introduced in 2016.
“Physician associates are not replacements for doctors, but they increase the productivity of the medical or surgical team by enhancing access to care for patients and complement the roles of medical or surgical trainees, as directed by their consultant supervisor,” it said in a statement.
“A regulator that ensures a streamlined process for monitoring physicians associates and their supervising consultants, while protecting the public, is the overarching goal that RCSI has been advocating for.”
An AHPRA spokesperson told The Medical Republic that the regulator – Australia’s equivalent of the IMC – did not have a policy position on the scope and regulation of physician assistants, as the Health Ministers make decisions about which professions are included in the National Scheme.
A plan from Queensland Health to increase the PA workforce in the state arose online in July.
While its implementation has been delayed, the proposal lives on.
A Queensland Health spokesperson told TMR last week that the department was currently analysing feedback from key stakeholders involved in its statewide consultation into the ongoing role of PAs in its health system.
