Independent review of physician associates and anaesthesia associates: survey of healthcare professionals
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
The Leng review received 6,864 responses to the online survey about physician associates, and 1,694 responses to the online survey about anaesthesia associates. This document summarises the responses received.
Responses to the surveys informed the Independent review of the physician associate and anaesthesia associate roles: final report of the Leng review.
To request an accessible version of this document, email leng.review@dhsc.gov.uk.
Original call for evidence
Call for evidence description
There has been a minor change to the wording of one question. Survey responses given before 10 March will still be considered in the Leng review.
We have updated the descriptive text in the ‘Day-to-day practice of physician/anaesthesia associates’ sections of the online survey to clarify that the questions apply to both frequency of current practice and appropriateness for future practice.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has established an independent review of the physician associate (PA) and anaesthesia associate (AA) professions to:
- consider the safety of the roles and their contribution to multidisciplinary healthcare teams
- make recommendations to inform future government policy
The conclusions of the review will help to inform the refreshed workforce plan that the government has committed to publish in summer 2025.
This survey of healthcare professionals is targeted at AAs, PAs and those that work with them. The 2 roles are considered separately and respondents will be asked to choose the role most relevant to them when responding. It is one part of a multi-method approach to evidence gathering.
Documents
Updates to this page
-
Added summary of responses report.
-
Updated the descriptive text in the 'Day-to-day practice of physician/anaesthesia associates' sections of the online survey to clarify that the questions apply to both frequency of current practice and appropriateness for future practice. Text amended to: 'The next series of questions will firstly ask you whether physician/anaesthesia associates carry out specific activities in your service as part of their current practice. You will also be asked whether you believe it is appropriate for them to do these tasks in the future.'
-
Updated to correct the answer options to one question. Removed the 'Anaesthetist' option and replaced it with 'Consultant' in the first question of the AA section: 'Do you work (currently or previously) as one of the following?'.
-
First published.