It is the first time course providers have been subject to formal quality assurance by the regulator, which took on the responsibility of regulating PAs and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) , of which overseeing and approving training courses is a key component, in December last year. 

PAs are healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of a senior doctor, such as a hospital consultant or a GP. 

Once they have completed two years of postgraduate training, they perform different clinical duties including taking medical histories, carrying out physical examinations, and developing and managing treatment plans. 

However, they are unable to prescribe medication or request ionising radiation, such as a chest X-ray or a CT scan.

Professor Tony Heagerty, Head of the School of Medical Sciences, said: “By handling routine care, follow-ups, and minor procedures, physician associates can improve workflow and reduce waiting times, as well as give doctors the time to focus on more complex cases.

“We are delighted to receive formal approval by the General Medical Council to teach physician associates to support this valuable addition to the NHS.”

In addition, three Anaesthesia Associate (AA) courses also received approval by the GMC.

Professor Colin Melville, the GMC’s Medical Director and Director of Education and Standards, said: “This is an important milestone in the regulation of PAs and AAs and will provide assurance, now and in the future, that those who qualify in these roles have the appropriate skills and knowledge that patients rightly expect and deserve.

“As a regulator, patient safety is paramount, and we have a robust quality assurance process for PA and AA courses, as we do for medical schools. We have been engaging with course providers for several years already, and we only grant approval where they meet our high standards.”