- About 86 percent said patients are not aware of the difference between the roles
- BMA warns against 'blurring' of distinction 'can and has led to fatal consequences'
Concerns about the dangers of junior doctors have been highlighted in a poll – as the findings also suggested that most patients don't know how they differ from doctors.
Nearly nine in ten UK doctors (87 per cent) believe the way junior doctors (PAs) or nurse anesthetists (AAs) work in the NHS is 'always or sometimes a risk to patient safety', the survey found .
A similar number (86 percent) said patients are not aware of the difference between the roles.
The British Medical Association (BMA), which carried out the survey of 18,000 doctors, warns that a 'blurring' of the distinction 'can and has led to fatal consequences'.
Associates work under the supervision of a physician and require two years of postgraduate study, but no formal medical training. There are approximately 1,500 PAs working in hospitals and 1,700 in primary care in England.
Around 87 per cent believe the way doctor or anesthetists work in the NHS 'always or sometimes poses a risk to patient safety', the survey found (Stock Image)
A similar number (86 percent) said patients are not aware of the difference between the roles (Stock Image)
They are unregulated and help doctors by taking medical histories, examining patients, making a diagnosis and analyzing test results. The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan shows bosses want to increase the PA workforce to 10,000 by 2036/2037.
There are also around 320 anesthesia staff, with plans to increase their numbers to 2,000 over the same period. They help anesthetists by assessing patients before surgery. The Government will today bring forward legislation to allow PAs and AAs to be regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC) from the end of next year.
But the BMA has said using the doctors' watchdog to regulate PAs and AAs will 'add further, dangerous confusion to the situation'.
The union said around 10,000 doctors have written to their MPs asking them to oppose the legislation.
It also cited a separate poll of 2,009 members of the public, which found 14 percent had been treated by a PA, 57 percent had not and 29 percent did not know.
Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the BMA council, said: 'Doctors in Britain are increasingly concerned about the impact of the government's plan to increase the number of PAs and AAs in England.
'Patients deserve to know who is treating them and what standard of care they are receiving.
The British Medical Association, which carried out the survey of 18,000 doctors, warns that a 'blurring' of the distinction 'can and has led to fatal consequences' (Stock Image)
'By blurring the lines and enabling a situation where PAs can act outside their authority without the public understanding what they are qualified for, both professions are demeaned and risk losing crucial public trust.
'At every stage we have made it clear that the GMC is the wrong regulator for medical professionals: it is the body for the supervision of doctors, and these staff are not.'
Actress Emily Chesterton, 30, died of a blood clot late last year after a PA dismissed her symptoms as anxiety and gave her pills instead of referring her to A&E.
She thought she had been seen by a GP at her practice in North London, but had actually been seen twice by a member of staff. Dr. Banfield added: “By giving the impression that PAs can do what doctors can do, the government risks even more patient safety incidents.”
One doctor told the BMA: 'Their basic knowledge (PAs) is poor', adding: 'It is only a matter of time before a patient suffers serious harm at their hands.'
Health Education England said the role and clinical duties of PAs and AAs 'cannot and will not be as extensive as that of a doctor'.