RCPCH President, Professor Steve Turner, said:
The Leng Review was a much-needed evidence-based look at the physician associate and anaesthesia associate professions within our health services. Further clarity about the roles of physician associates and their training frameworks within our multi-disciplinary teams is important – both for the team members and our patients. We are extremely grateful to our own membership who engaged with our comprehensive member survey ahead of the review and enabled us to provide Professor Leng with a detailed report outlining the specific experiences, needs and concerns of the paediatric and child health workforce.
While some of RCPCH’s recommendations for the physician associate role have been heard, we are disappointed to see no specific mention of children or paediatrics in the Leng report. Children and young people have distinct and complex healthcare needs, and it is essential that these are recognised in any workforce planning or reform. As a College we will continue to engage with the Government and other relevant bodies to ensure that the voice of paediatricians is heard clearly in the ongoing reform of the physician associate profession.