Royal College of Anaesthetists has doubled-down on its Scope of Practice document for PAAs (Physician Assistants in Anaesthesia, aka Anaesthesia Associates), and does not support or see any justification for a rapid expansion of the PAA role.
anaesthetistsunited.com/rcoa-doubles...
The differences between doctors and associates are stark, and to claim that the same regulatory model can simply be copied and applied to both is a fallacy.
anaesthetistsunited.com/why-doctors-...
We are grateful to all our supporters who have made this work possible. If you are able to make a further donation to us it will help us reach our goals. We are persistent and committed.
anaesthetistsunited.com/we-have-writ...
The GMC likes to present itself as untouchable; but it isn’t. The Professional Standard Authority exists precisely for moments like this – when a regulator has priorities other than patient safety.
There is a clear need for the PSA to scrutinise the GMC’s approach to the regulation of PAs.
We have referred the GMC to the Professional Standards Authority over its failure to meet their regulatory standards.
anaesthetistsunited.com/we-have-writ...
Parliamentary Health Committee is to question the GMC on Wednesday over their implementation of regulation of PA/AAs.
You can attend as an observer or watch on ParliamentTV
committees.parliament.uk/event/26225/...
Our lawyers worked incredibly hard on our original case but in the end we did not crowdfund enough money to meet their fees. Asking them to do this additional work will need more cash. We are keeping our Crowdjustice open and hope we can raise enough to see this through.
The evidence that came out in court was that the GMC was very aware of the risks posed by PAs, and had the legal power to set Scope if it so wished; but that it wilfully decided not to. Our dossier will repurpose a huge amount of very useful evidence on how this happened.
During the court hearing we uncovered the GMC’s shambolic decision-making, and we revealed that the risks to patients, doctors and associates were never even assessed by the GMC. We need reassurance that these decisions were not simply taken by CEO Massey and handed down by him as a diktat
But we do have one last chance; going to the body that oversees and regulates the GMC itself - the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA). We plan to ask the PSA whether the GMCs approach to regulating PAs is fit for purpose.
We have lost the first stage of the appeal in our legal case against the GMC over Physician Assistants and Anaesthesia Assistants (PAs and AAs).
The next legal step would be to go to the Court of Appeal, but we cannot afford to do this - even with our lawyers acting pro bono.
![The Gasman's Shanty [VIDEO]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jorue6q45hxispcupj327p4z/bafkreibwuh6itkb2degkuwshww2733gyizbveiaetou2tyzv7mqb4knta4)
Tomorrow is World Anaesthesia Day - the day we highlight our essential role in emergency and critical care settings.
Be proud.
Lets start the day with a rousing chorus of the Gasmans Shanty.
Hoorah! The Gasman's come!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wm2...
#WAD2025
Our lawyers have applied to appeal the Judge's decision - because they think her decision was incorrect
anaesthetistsunited.com/we-have-appl...
Sorry to say our judicial review was dismissed on all grounds.
FULL STATEMENT anaesthetistsunited.com/case-dismiss...
UMAPS, the trade union for PAs and AAs have issued a statement after losing their case in court.
umaps.org.uk/statement-on...
The GMC and UMAPs are both using legal moves to complicate the implementation of Leng and our verdict being delivered 👇👇
anaesthetistsunited.com/gmc-makes-su...
The Leng review makes many good points, including redefining the name of PAs as assistants so as to clarify their role. But it fails to address how its proposals will be enforced.
Our statement: anaesthetistsunited.com/leng-a-bold-...
Thank you for this amazing response - we're getting there.
We fought for safety.
But we still need to pay the lawyers who fought for us.
We are about £15,000 short.
The reasons are at anaesthetistsunited.com/we-fought-fo...
We have written to the Presidents of the Medical Royal Colleges to draw their attention to the staggering revelations over GMC decision-making that came to light in our judicial review.
We gained a key insight into GMC decision-making. What does it say about their independence?
anaesthetistsunited.com/gmc-governan...
Although the hearing has finished we don't have enough money. Which is awkward.
We are still accepting donations. Please help us.
www.crowdjustice.com/case/stop-mi...
When it comes to supervision of PAs, their KC told the court that a supervisor could always check the patient records from former workplaces of an associate
If we win our case Mr Massey or his successor will need to address the questions on patient safety that so far they have failed to look at.
The decision by the GMC to not set scope was not identifiable.
The GMC had the power to have done so had it so wished
Despite our persistent questioning they have not adequately explained their reasons for making this decision.
Here's what happened in court on Day 3.
anaesthetistsunited.com/day-3-in-cou...
We are none the wiser as to how the decision not to set a Scope of Practice for associates was reached.
Though they gave all sorts of excuses.
Sorry David it's taken longer to write than I thought and I've been tied up with some other things. It'll probably be tomorrow, now.
A good day in court, with Mrs Justice Lambert taking a lot of interest in the GMC's decision-making processes.
We hope to have a judgement by the end of July.
We will post a proper summary of the hearing tomorrow.
