Internal Reference Number: FOI_9228
Date Request Received: 16/02/2026 00:00:00
Date Request Replied To: 31/03/2026 00:00:00
This response was sent via: By Email
Request Summary: Physician Associates in Emergency Departments
Request Category: Companies
| Question Number 1: Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am requesting the following information regarding the employment and deployment of Physician Associates (PAs) in your Trust's Emergency Department(s): Pre-Leng Review Employment (before July 2025) a) Did your Trust employ Physician Associates in Emergency Department(s) prior to July 2025? b) If yes, how many PA posts (FTE) were there in ED as of June 2025? c) What clinical activities and responsibilities did PAs undertake in ED during this period? | |
| Answer To Question 1: a) Yes b) <5 FTE c) See patients in the ED under the direct supervision of an ED Consultant. | |
| Question Number 2: Current PA Deployment a) How many PA posts (FTE) are currently deployed in Emergency Department(s)? b) For any PAs previously working in ED who are no longer in those roles: 鈥� How many have been redeployed to other departments? Please specify which departments/specialties 鈥� How many posts have been made redundant or not renewed? 鈥� What were the dates of any redeployments or redundancies? | |
| Answer To Question 2: a) <5 FTE b) <5 FTE | |
| Question Number 3: Changes to PA Roles Post-Leng Review a) How have the clinical activities and responsibilities of PAs working in ED changed since July 2025? b) What restrictions or modifications have been placed on PA practice in ED? | |
| Answer To Question 3: a) - closer supervision of PAs, use of PAs in CDU setting, plan for PAs to work in Haematology follow up of patients under the direct supervision of the Haematology Consultants. b) - Closer supervision by the ED senior team. | |
| Question Number 4: Impact Assessment and Wait Times a) Prior to making any changes, did your Trust conduct any impact assessment regarding PA deployment in ED? If yes, please provide a copy or summary of findings. b) Prior to making these changes, did your Trust consult with or refer to documentation from the General Medical Council (GMC), Care Quality Commission (CQC), United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs), or the College of Medical Associate Professionals (CMAPs)? c) What was the average wait time in ED for the periods: 鈥� April-June 2025 (pre-Leng Review) 鈥� October-December 2025 (post-Leng Review) d) Has your Trust identified any correlation between changes to PA deployment and ED performance metrics? | |
| Answer To Question 4: a) Yes, this was included as part of the business case. b) This is not specified within the business case, The underlying principles that would also apply for secondary care are: 鈥� They complete safe recruitment processes. 鈥� There are enough qualified, skilled, and experienced people, who receive appropriate and effective support, supervision, and development. 鈥� These staff work together effectively to provide safe care that meets people鈥檚 individual needs. 鈥� There are clear responsibilities, roles, systems of accountability and good governance to manage and deliver good quality, sustainable care, treatment and support. 鈥� Information about risk, performance and outcomes is managed and shared securely with others when appropriate. 鈥� They value diversity in the workforce and work towards an inclusive and fair culture by improving equality and equity for people. c) April - June 2025 (pre-Leng Review) : average 54.7% October - December 2025 (post-Leng review): average 60.2% - It would be longer due to many other factors not related to Physician Associates d) - There is no correlation between changes of PA deployment and ED performance metrics. | |
| Question Number 5: Compliance with Professional Guidance a) Were changes to PA deployment in ED made following guidance from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine? b) Please provide copies of any internal policies, directives, or communications regarding PA deployment in ED issued since July 2025. | |
| Answer To Question 5: a) - No b) this Policy is currently in DRAFT and under review awaiting approval | |
| Please see Attachments: | |
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