Wes Streetingis facing a new conflict with a medical union, just days after promising he would not yield to striking doctors demanding higher pay.
The Secretary of State for Health might face a judicial review due to his choice to limit the role of physician associates (PAs) in theNHS.
Earlier this month, Mr. Streeting and NHS England prohibited PAs, whoundergo less comprehensive education than physicians, from treating patients without a diagnosis.
It followed an independent review that suggested a significant reduction in their area of focus.
Last night, MPs cautioned that the decision, along with the five-day doctors’ strike, will increase patient vulnerability and complicate efforts to reduce waiting lists. They argued that thousands of patients might be unable to attend their appointments as a consequence.
On Friday, the United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs), the group that advocates for PAs, issued pre-action letters to Mr Streeting and NHS England.
Conservative MP Sir Ashley Fox stated: ‘I am concerned that the strikes could put patients in greater danger now that the Health Secretary hassnatched the ground from beneath physician and anaesthetist associates [AAs].’
It appears there is an absence of a long-term plan from this Government, just a distorted desire to provide the radical British Medical Association [which represents doctors] whatever theyAsk without any conditions.’
Mr. Streeting initiated an examination of the roles of the 3,500 physician associates within the NHS, following worries that they were improperly replacing doctors.
The evaluation, headed by Professor Gillian Leng, president of the Royal Society of Medicine, recognized that physician assistants have been utilized to fill in for doctors’ schedules and urged significant reforms regarding their roles and oversight.
She suggested that PAs should avoid treating patients who have not been assessed or categorized by a physician.
The general secretary of UMAP, Stephen Nash, stated that the choice to reduce their usage was ‘completely unreasonable and will only complicate patients’ ability to obtain NHS appointments and standard care.’
He stated: “The Leng Review did not find any solid evidence indicating that PAs are unsafe or ineffective. However, the Secretary of State is altering the role significantly, leading to the unjust termination of more than 3,500 well-trained medical professionals.”
Interestingly, the Government has fallen exactly into the strikers’ trap, causing their strikehit even harderwhile we are prevented from performing the role we were educated for.
The letters, reviewed by The Mail on Sunday, stated that the Government’s choice had damaged the role of PAs and AAs, increased the chances of job cuts, and altered their working conditions without adequately seeking their input.
Previous health minister Lord Hunt stated that PAs “are well-trained, safe, and efficient. We should not”ignore them when the NHS requires greater assistance than at any other time.
A representative from the Department of Health and Social Care stated: ‘The Government initiated this review to ensure patients receive the best possible care and maintain trust in the healthcare system.’
Gillian Leng is among the UK’s most seasoned healthcare executives. The Health Secretary has consented to adopt all the suggestions from her report.
Resident physicians, previously referred to as junior doctors, maintained their strike on the previous day, following Mr Streeting’s criticism of the BMA foremploying ‘strict methods’ that ‘penalize individuals without justification’when the protests started on Friday.
Push harder to get health tourists to pay, MPs urge
By Jo Macfarlane
Additional actions are needed to reclaim millions of pounds that the NHS is owed by international patients, according to senior Members of Parliament addressing the Government.
Following an investigation by the Mail on Sunday, it was discovered that hospitals wrote off £256 million in debts from health tourists over seven years, prompting the head of the Public Accounts Committee to caution officials that they will be closely examined on this matter.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has requested the Department of Health and NHS England to explain their efforts in making sure that care is ‘charged for and collected’.
He also insisted that officials disclose the advancements achieved since the Government committed in 2017 to recover £500 million annually from overseas patients.
In April, the MoS disclosed that only a third of the £621 million in debt has been settled, with £44 million forgiven over the last year.
As the number of foreign nationals opting for planned treatment through the NHS has increased by 100%, Sir Geoffrey emphasized that the significance of recouping the funds has ‘never been more critical’.
Read more
