What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to ensuring that physician associates are fully regulated in Wales?
The Anaesthesia Associate and Physician Associate Order was laid in UK Parliament on 13 December 2023. The Order will give the General Medical Council (GMC) the necessary powers and duties to regulate anaesthesia associates (AAs) and physician associates (PAs) in the UK. From December 2024 the GMC will become the regulator for AAs and PAs in all parts of the UK.
While the powers to regulate healthcare professionals are reserved to the UK government, the Order was developed in partnership with each of the UK nations, along with the professional regulatory bodies, key stakeholders from across the health and care system, and the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.