DAUK donates to landmark legal challenge against the GMC and calls on royal colleges to follow suit

The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) is calling on royal colleges to follow their lead and donate financial support to a legal case against the GMC over the regulation of physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs).

It follows the vote by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to oppose the role of physician associates (PAs) working in general practice, which has been welcomed by DAUK’s GP Committee.

DAUK is proud to announce its robust support for Anaesthetists United in their legal case against the GMC, which addresses critical issues surrounding the regulation of PAs and AAs.

This backing includes a £30,000 contribution to their crowdfunding efforts, underscoring the medical profession’s deep-seated concerns over patient safety and professional standards.

Now it is calling on royal colleges to also give their support to the legal challenge.

Why DAUK supports this legal challenge

DAUK shares the grave concerns that the current regulatory framework fails to adequately safeguard patient safety and maintain the high standards of medical practice that the British public expects and deserves.

Ms Helen Fernandes, DAUK chair, said: “The GMC’s approach to regulating PAs and AAs is fundamentally flawed.

“It risks blurring the lines between fully qualified doctors and support staff, potentially misleading patients and compromising care quality.

“We categorically back Anaesthetists United in demanding clear, enforceable guidance on the scope of practice for these roles.”

United front

DAUK’s significant donation to the Anaesthetists United legal fund is not an isolated action but part of a broader united front in the medical community.

Recent events, including the Royal College of General Practitioners’ revised stance on PA regulation and the Emergency General Meeting at the Royal College of Physicians, demonstrate that concerns over these issues are widespread and deeply felt.

Dr Matt Kneale, DAUK committee member and former chair, said: “The strength of feeling across the medical profession cannot be overstated.

“These are not isolated incidents of discontent but a clear signal that the current trajectory of medical regulation and workforce planning is deeply troubling to those on the front lines of patient care.”

Call to action

In light of these developments, DAUK calls upon all royal colleges to take decisive action:

  • Contribute financially to the Anaesthetists United crowdfunding campaign.
  • Publicly back the medical profession’s stance on this critical issue.
  • Prioritise patient safety by advocating for standards to be set by the regulator, not by individual NHS trusts or GP practices.

Dr Kneale said: “The variation in standards across different healthcare settings has already led to concerning safety events.

“It’s time for our professional bodies to unite in demanding a consistent, high-quality approach to regulation that puts patient safety first.”

Dr David Nicholl, fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and DAUK committee member, said: “As a former member of RCP Council, I would like to see the RCP backing this case.

“The RCP has already publicly stated that there should be national scope which the GMC are refusing to do.

“It’s time for all royal colleges to put their money where their mouth is and support this legal challenge against the GMC’s intransigence. This is about safe patient care.”

RCGP vote

Meanwhile, DAUK’s GP Committee has welcomed a vote by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to oppose a role for physician associates (PAs) from working in general practice.

The RCGP’s UK Council voted 61 per cent in favour of opposing the role of PAs working in general practice, with 31 disagreeing and eight per cent abstaining.

Dr Ellen Welch, DAUK vice chair and member of the DAUK GP committee, said: “We agree with the RCGP Council’s decision to end the further expansion of PAs in general practice.

“This is not about PAs as individuals but about patient safety.

“They should not have been allowed to consult undifferentiated patients and, in our view, it was always unsafe for patients.

“The complexity of patient care, the needs of patients, and the safety of patient care must always be a priority.

“GPs are highly-skilled clinicians who have trained for 10 years to have the depth and breadth of knowledge essential to care for the complexity of patients seen in general practice.

“It is essential that patients are able to consult with GPs, therefore we urge NHS England and the Government to make the retention and recruitment of GPs a priority.”

Looking forward

DAUK remains committed to supporting initiatives that protect patients and the integrity of the medical profession. We will continue to monitor the progress of the Anaesthetists United case closely and are ready to take further action as necessary.

For more information on how to support this crucial legal challenge, please visit the Anaesthetists United CrowdJustice page.

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