Published: 16 December 2024
Today marks a transformative moment in UK healthcare as the General Medical Council (GMC) expands its role to include the regulation of Physician Associates (PAs) and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs). This milestone reflects a shared commitment to patient safety, professional excellence, and public confidence in these vital healthcare roles.
Following a public consultation conducted by the Department of Health in 2017, work began in 2019 to regulate both PAs and AAs. Once registered, PAs and AAs must follow the GMC’s standards set out in Good Medical Practice and can be held to account if serious concerns are raised about their practice. The GMC will now oversee the education and training of PAs, setting clear standards for the knowledge, skills, and behaviours expected of new graduates.
At City St George’s, University of London, we are committed to equipping students with the skills and knowledge required to uphold the highest possible standards of patient care and safety and are invested in supporting the PA profession nationally. Over recent years, our Master's in Physician Associate Studies programme has worked closely with the GMC to align our programme with the five themes of their Promoting Excellence standards. This was recognised in the GMC quality assurance visit in October 2024, during which our curriculum and assessments were commended for their diversity and relevance, reflecting the needs of London’s diverse population.
In 2025, 62 current PA students will become the first ever cohort eligible to join the GMC register following their national exams, marking the beginning of a new era for the profession. As we mark this milestone, we would like to recognise the outstanding work and commitment of the staff across our School and the Trust who helped us reach this point, and express our gratitude for those in our community who have championed the PA profession and supported our institution.