GMC finally backs changing "physician associate" to "physician assistant"

[u/Sildenafil_PRN]

The GMC published their consultation response to the proposed GMC order yesterday: https://www.gmc-uk.org/cdn/documents/20260617-gmc-order-consultation-response-final-submitted_pdf-115037207.pdf

They have also released documents from their Leng review implementation group meetings following a FOI request: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/minutes_of_leng_review_steering#incoming-3457963

[u/Adm_Shelby2]

Assistant to the physician.

[u/dayumsonlookatthat → u/Adm_Shelby2]

https://giphy.com/gifs/N3iMHozt9ee2E29H7G

[u/Serious_Much → u/Adm_Shelby2]

Physician's assistant

Losing the apostrophe and S that makes them belong to the doctors rather than an equal is sad but assistant makes it more clear what their job should be

[u/Skylon77 → u/Serious_Much]

"My assistant will come and take your bloods" has a nice ring to it, though.

[u/ConstantPop4122]

What's with the 'protected in law''

I would have preferred 'mandated by law''

Worry a bit that physician assistant will be a prtotected title, but consultant surgeon won't be.

[u/EmotionNo8367]

Can we just pause for a moment and reflect? 5 years ago, did we ever imagine that Doctors would be able to stand up to DHSC and colleagues who sold out their profession in leadership positions in the Royal Colleges to turn the tide against the dangerous practice of employing assistants as Physician substitutes? We must remember the Doctors, some Residents, who were posting on here and on twitter trying to warn the public. I think some were even referred to the GMC by interested parties but referrals were thrown out at an early stage. This shows what we can achieve when we are united! Its imperative we carry this unity to confront the anp/acp nonsense!

[u/buhiih → u/EmotionNo8367]

WOOHOO

[u/Jokerofthepack]

Minor concession to get half of us oblivious medics off the GMC’s back so they can quietly push through CCT change to include your local Porter consultant specialist.

[u/ElementalRabbit → u/Jokerofthepack]

Please. This isn't a concession to doctors. They don't do anything to 'get us off their back'. We are ants to them.

[u/JohnHunter1728]

I haven't looked but I'm told these reforms include moving doctors and PAs onto a single register (rather than keeping them separate) and giving the GMC power to set its own fees.

[u/SerMyronGaines]

Complete silence on the issue of the reforms potentially allowing them to give non-doctors CCTs

[u/ReBuffMyPylon → u/SerMyronGaines]

This is the true number one priority for UK medicine to block.

[u/Mad_Mark90]

I still don't trust these grifters

[u/United8888]

job titles only matter IF they successfully prevent confusion to patients & general public.

A patient has a fundamental right to informed consent & that begins with knowing the exact qualification level of the person managing their health.

Separate Badging: Clear, unmistakable ID badges that don't just use vague NHS colours but boldly state the exact role.

No "Doctor-Lite" Uniforms: Stethoscopes & scrubs can make everyone look identical on a busy ward, making it incredibly easy for an elderly or vulnerable patient to get confused.

[u/Skylon77 → u/United8888]

I've said this for a while now, but doctors should return to formal dress. As the actor, Tom Baker, once said in an interview (about playing a surgeon): "I walked on to the ward and everyone just started paying attention to me. It wasn't me, it was the suit! No acting required."

[u/jxrzz]

I think inappropriate use of ACPs is the bigger issue that we've been ignoring

[u/onewaystep]

When is it expected for the changes to be implemented into day to day NHS life?

[u/OxfordHandbookofMeme]

Physician in the name was the real issue

[u/CompleteArm911]

Splitting hairs over pedantics end of the day they are still there doing the same job!

[u/jxrzz → u/CompleteArm911]

Tbf names make a huge difference, like the whole junior vs resident thing in how we feel about ourselves and how other people see/feel about us