The Scottish Parliament has devolved powers over healthcare, and plays a crucial role in safeguarding and improving the health of its citizens. Key decisions on health policy about the Scottish NHS are made at Holyrood.
On Wednesday 31st January, the Minister for Parliamentary Business (George Adam on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau) moved S6M-12021—That the Parliament agrees that the Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates Order 2024 [draft] be approved by the Scottish Parliament. The decision was ‘made’ at decision time, which means it was approved.
This paves the way for the General Medical Council to proceed with regulation of PAs, as well as anesthesia associates, in Scotland.
Last month, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) released a position statement on physician associates, which recommended renaming of the profession to “physician assistant” to avoid confusion for the public with existing medical roles such as Associate Specialist.
The equivalent legislation is proceeding for the rest of the UK, having passed through the House of Commons, and is expected to be heard in the House of Lords next week.