In February 2021, Skills for Health were commissioned by Health Education England (now NHS England Workforce Training and Education) to lead the creation of a Core Capabilities Framework (CCF) for all Medical Associate Professions, including physician associates. The CCF was published in June 2022 and outlines clear expectations for the safe and effective practice of these roles.
The CCF sets out clear expectations for MAPs, and its publication was another important step in the journey towards positively progressing the PA role.
Building on the CCF, Skills for Health are now developing a Career Development Framework (CDF) for MAPs, with input from stakeholders from all four UK nations. The CDF is now seeking public consultation from across all four nations, to ensure the framework is clear, understandable, beneficial, and usable for all MAP stakeholders.
The CDF will detail the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected at each stage of a PA career, and ensure all PAs across the UK have a standardised progression pathway, according to the FPARCP.
The Career Development Framework aims to:
- Raise awareness – enhance understanding of MAP roles as part of multi-disciplinary teams within the NHS.
- Reinforce workforce potential – help employers plan effectively for the introduction and development of Medical Associates, contribute to enhanced professional identity and support leadership, research, and innovation amongst these professions.
- Reduce variation – improve consistency of career development opportunities, recruitment across varied contexts in service, and retention.
Given the imminent statutory regulation of AAs and PAs, the MAPs Career Development Framework is a priority for NHS England. It is anticipated that the Framework will be utilised by all four nations that train and employ MAPs.
All responses to the survey will be treated confidentially and collated with other respondents to identify key themes and issues. The results of the survey will be used to further develop and refine the framework.
Have your say by taking part in the survey, open until 2 February 2024.