The Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) has announced that Jamie Saunders has resigned from his position as president.
Jamie was elected president in 2022 and his term was due to last for three years. He was elected president in 2022 with 436 votes, succeeding Kate Straughton.
In addition, the FPARVP vice president, Chandran Louis, has also resigned his post. Additionally, both the FPA Dean Pauline Weir, another board member has also resigned from their positions.
Jamie has shown resilience and persistence at president, in the face of overwhelming criticism levelled at both him personally on social media, and against the PA profession at large over recent months. When elected in 2022, he said that he wanted to see the FPA become more engaged with its members.
Saunders’ resignation comes at a time of significant upheaval for the physician associate profession. The role of PAs is under increasing scrutiny, and the FPA has been criticised for being slow to respond by some members whilst under the auspices of the Royal College of Physicians.
Over his 2 years in office, Jamie has overseen work to achieve GMC statutory regulation of the PA profession, which is expected to come into force in December 2024.
More recently, Jamie has overseen the publication of guidance for PAs on professional identity, and an ePortfolio.
The FPA has not yet announced how it will fill the vacancy left by the resignations. The remaining board members will continue to work in the interim. The FPA recently announced the results of a ballot of members, who voted with 60% majority to become independent from the Royal College of Physicians within a year.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.