A group representing anaesthetists of all grades has raised over £25,000 to fund a legal challenge against the GMC over its handling of the regulation of physician associates (PAs) and anaesthetist associates (AAs).
Anaesthetists United said it is commencing a legal case against the regulator as it believes the regulation process is ‘blurring the distinction’ between doctors and associate professions.
It wants to achieve ‘clear and enforceable guidance’ from the GMC on the ‘privileges of members’ admitted to associate practice, ‘defining what they can and cannot do’.
A fundraiser to fund the legal challenge was started and within a few hours hit its first target of £15,000, which will cover the initial costs of a brief and opinion.
The group has now set a new target of £100,000 which would provide them ‘with solid footing’ during the legal challenge. At the time of writing, over £25,500 has been raised.
In an update, the group said: ‘We have been overwhelmed by support, and we are now in a position to instruct our legal team to initiate work on the case.’
It also wants the current Good Medical Practice guidance replaced by two separate sets of guidance for the two separate professions, and for the GMC to end the use of the ‘ambiguous’ term ‘medical professionals’ used to describe two separate groups ‘misleadingly’.
Explaining the reasons behind the legal challenge, the group said: ‘We’ve listened to empty reassurances from the establishment, as the lines between the two professions have been systematically blurred.
‘We think patients deserve better; they should be cared for by doctors when necessary, should know who is and is not a doctor, and there should be separate regulation underpinning this. And we’re ready to take action.’
In March, Anaesthetists United wrote to the GMC setting out their case but said it was unsatisfied with the regulator’s response, adding that the group feels that ‘the only route left open to us is a legal one’.
‘We are working with John Halford of Bindmans LLP, a public law solicitor with experience in the regulatory framework on protected titles, and Tom de la Mare KC of Blackstones. Both of these are highly regarded and respected in their expertise, we need to work with the best,’ the group added.
A GMC spokesperson told Pulse: ‘We note the crowdfunding campaign by Anaesthetists United. We continue to listen to all views from individual doctors, PAs and AAs and others.’
Earlier this year, Pulse reported that the DAUK was also considering a legal challenge of the PA regulation plans.
Last month, local GP leaders said that the GMC is ‘complicit’ in the Government’s ‘agenda’ to create ‘a cheaper model of primary care’ by supporting the use of physician associates (PAs) in place of GPs.
And last week, the use of PAs in the NHS has been opposed by firefighters and other workers within fire and rescue services across the UK.
I recall the days when unqualified and unsupervised G.Ps gave anaesthetics—————scary or what?
I note no similar challenge from GPs agsinst PAs replacing us? No suprise there