Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Physicians Associates

110 replies

DevilsKitchen · 24/04/2026 14:48

I’ve just been prescribed something by a PA that is not recommended in pregnancy due to the risk of deafness and cleft palate.

I am only by virtue of being an inherently distrusting person that I am not now taking this. I mentioned I was pregnant and the PA said “oh yeah I’m pretty sure it’s fine” which to me is not good enough so I checked with the pharmacist who told me categorically no and go and ask for something else.

My colleague also had a bad experience with a PA when her daughter was prescribed something inappropriate for her specific condition.

And it’s no wonder is it? It’s two years training at masters level which is obviously nowhere near enough. It was a nice idea to try and reduce the waiting list and I don’t even think it’s their fault because they are doing their best but AIBU to say it’s time this experiment was ended?

I would like to say my surgery has dealt with it really well and I am now booked in to see an actual GP.

OP posts:
Humptydumptysat · 24/04/2026 15:56

MooBaggage · 24/04/2026 15:51

Also not true... 🙄

Show quote history

Yes it was - driven by the UKAPA

Humptydumptysat · 24/04/2026 15:53

MooBaggage · 24/04/2026 15:50

Not true, as F1s can't prescribe either!

There is a lot of mis-informatiom on this thread....🙄

Show quote history

Yes they can

bringmelaughter · 24/04/2026 15:52

Humptydumptysat · 24/04/2026 15:46

There have been a good number of deaths caused by PAs. In addition there have been lots of FY1 medics put in the invidious position of being expected to sign off prescriptions for PAs.

Show quote history

Again which healthcare profession would not have ever been implicated in some way in avoidable harm? I guess art therapists may be able to reasonably say they haven’t but otherwise most professions, unfortunately, will have been represented in cases of avoidable harm including deaths.

Womanofcustard · 24/04/2026 15:52

Why don’t they continue upgrading nurses roles? Nurses have tons of experience and quite often know the patients.

MooBaggage · 24/04/2026 15:51

Humptydumptysat · 24/04/2026 15:43

The fact physician assistants unilaterally decided to change their name to physician associates shows their arrogance and lack of concern for patients/wish to mislead patients,

Also not true... 🙄

Paganpentacle · 24/04/2026 15:50

bringmelaughter · 24/04/2026 15:47

They are regulated by the GMC: https://www.gmc-uk.org/about/what-we-do-and-why/regulating-physician-associates-and-anaesthesia-associates Please don’t perpetuate myths.

It is not a perfect system and my view is that there have been issues in the use of PA roles, the way they were introduced and the previous lack of regulation . But there are issues with other health care professions and individuals in any job you may care to name. We just need to work at having a better system and continuing to improve how these roles are developed and used.

Show quote history

The role is pointless when there are far more qualified, regulated people who can do it better, autonomously and are also able to prescribe.

MooBaggage · 24/04/2026 15:50

Humptydumptysat · 24/04/2026 15:46

There have been a good number of deaths caused by PAs. In addition there have been lots of FY1 medics put in the invidious position of being expected to sign off prescriptions for PAs.

Show quote history

Not true, as F1s can't prescribe either!

There is a lot of mis-informatiom on this thread....🙄

Ineedanewsofa · 24/04/2026 15:48

It’s anecdata but it does appear to be a common experience that PAs do not refer to themselves as such unless pushed/questioned, certainly my experience of the few I’ve encountered. Presumably because as soon as patients find out they ask to see a real Dr!
It’s not their fault that the role itself was badly thought out and poorly implemented but it does seem like PAs are coached to be vague about their qualifications which is downright worrying

Elizabeta · 24/04/2026 15:47

When I was pregnant I had a very severe chest infection.

A physicians associate told me I seemed anxious and told me to Google mindfulness.

Instead, I took myself to A&E, when I got the antibiotics I needed.

I know that wasn’t a great use of A&E - but I didn’t have another option for the healthcare I needed.

I too refuse to see PAs now.

bringmelaughter · 24/04/2026 15:47

Paganpentacle · 24/04/2026 15:35

The issue being they are NOT a profession.
They are not regulated like GP's or nurses.
They do not have a governing body- they cannot be struck off.
2 years training- that's it. Its not adequate- they are dangerous.

Show quote history

They are regulated by the GMC: https://www.gmc-uk.org/about/what-we-do-and-why/regulating-physician-associates-and-anaesthesia-associates Please don’t perpetuate myths.

It is not a perfect system and my view is that there have been issues in the use of PA roles, the way they were introduced and the previous lack of regulation . But there are issues with other health care professions and individuals in any job you may care to name. We just need to work at having a better system and continuing to improve how these roles are developed and used.

Humptydumptysat · 24/04/2026 15:46

bringmelaughter · 24/04/2026 15:06

As other people have already said, PAs can’t prescribe so you have a GP issue here. As you seem to be adamant that this mistake means that the PA role doesn’t work and should go, does that mean that a mistake like this means that GP roles don’t work and should go?

A single clinical error does not mean a whole profession doesn’t work. That’s even if there was an error here. We do sometimes prescribe medications that aren’t routinely used in pregnancy but we may do so on a risk benefit basis in partnership with the person.

Edited

There have been a good number of deaths caused by PAs. In addition there have been lots of FY1 medics put in the invidious position of being expected to sign off prescriptions for PAs.

Gassylady · 24/04/2026 15:43

I do think that in their original role of “physicians assistant” truly assisting with admin and documentation there could be a role. But the mission creep into assessing undifferentiated patients is very dangerous. Sadly the role seems to attract, at least in part, people with an overinflated view of their knowledge and skills. And in effect up until now never actually held accountable for their decisions.

Humptydumptysat · 24/04/2026 15:43

The fact physician assistants unilaterally decided to change their name to physician associates shows their arrogance and lack of concern for patients/wish to mislead patients,

WhatHappenedToYourFurnitureCuz · 24/04/2026 15:42

Soupsavior · 24/04/2026 15:22

Agreed the only time I saw a PA they didn't disclose that and only introduced themselves as "part of consultant X's clinical team" and they were in scrubs so I assumed they were a registrar until I got my clinical letter after and was really shocked but it made sense why they couldn't answer any of my questions about my MRI result. It seems to be a common thing that they're not being honest about their position so I agree they should be banned.

Show quote history

This is why I always ask someone's role in a clinic/hospital and refuse to be seen by a PA.

Humptydumptysat · 24/04/2026 15:40

GP =5/6 year medical degree, 2 year FY training, 3 year specialty training

PA = 2 years

DaVinciGirl · 24/04/2026 15:40

Paganpentacle · 24/04/2026 15:36

That would be an ACP- who has done masters level training in addition to his paramedic role- and also a prescribing qualification.
He was acting as an independent, autonomous practitioner.
There is a whole world of difference.

Show quote history

What they said.

Gassylady · 24/04/2026 15:39

Paganpentacle · 24/04/2026 15:35

The issue being they are NOT a profession.
They are not regulated like GP's or nurses.
They do not have a governing body- they cannot be struck off.
2 years training- that's it. Its not adequate- they are dangerous.

Show quote history

Not true, they are now regulated by the General Medical Council. You know the organisation that was founded so the public could have confidence in identifying an appropriately qualified doctor rather than a “quack” How times change!

Newmeagain · 24/04/2026 15:39

I thought there was now a move away from that role.

Paganpentacle · 24/04/2026 15:36

CarbootJunction · 24/04/2026 15:32

I was prescribed antibiotics for tonsillitis by a paramedic who was working a bank shift at our GP surgery.
The receptionists will be prescribing soon.

That would be an ACP- who has done masters level training in addition to his paramedic role- and also a prescribing qualification.
He was acting as an independent, autonomous practitioner.
There is a whole world of difference.

Dimms · 24/04/2026 15:35

MsGreying · 24/04/2026 15:32

Is it on your notes that you're pregnant?

She told him she was pregnant

Paganpentacle · 24/04/2026 15:35

bringmelaughter · 24/04/2026 15:06

As other people have already said, PAs can’t prescribe so you have a GP issue here. As you seem to be adamant that this mistake means that the PA role doesn’t work and should go, does that mean that a mistake like this means that GP roles don’t work and should go?

A single clinical error does not mean a whole profession doesn’t work. That’s even if there was an error here. We do sometimes prescribe medications that aren’t routinely used in pregnancy but we may do so on a risk benefit basis in partnership with the person.

Edited

The issue being they are NOT a profession.
They are not regulated like GP's or nurses.
They do not have a governing body- they cannot be struck off.
2 years training- that's it. Its not adequate- they are dangerous.

CarbootJunction · 24/04/2026 15:32

I was prescribed antibiotics for tonsillitis by a paramedic who was working a bank shift at our GP surgery.
The receptionists will be prescribing soon.

MsGreying · 24/04/2026 15:32

Is it on your notes that you're pregnant?

Soupsavior · 24/04/2026 15:22

Anonymouse27 · 24/04/2026 14:59

My DP had a terrible experience with a PA (who introduced herself as "a medic" and did not correct him when he repeatedly addressed her as "doctor").

It is only because I am a HCP and pushy that I asked for a second opinion and he saw the Consultant who arranged for the surgery he needed. They should be banned IMO.

Agreed the only time I saw a PA they didn't disclose that and only introduced themselves as "part of consultant X's clinical team" and they were in scrubs so I assumed they were a registrar until I got my clinical letter after and was really shocked but it made sense why they couldn't answer any of my questions about my MRI result. It seems to be a common thing that they're not being honest about their position so I agree they should be banned.

TheBeaTgoeson1 · 24/04/2026 15:08

Echoing that they can’t prescribe so it’s not a them problem, it lies with the DR above them.