Committee publication · Correspondence · 24 June 2026
Correspondence from the GMC- Regulatory reform
Summary
The GMC's Chief Executive explains the regulatory context and stakeholder support that shaped the Council's 2019 decision to regulate Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates. He highlights that the 2019 government consultation on regulating medical associate professionals attracted over 3,000 responses with strong backing (95% for PAs, 84% for AAs), and that early professional consensus—reflected in Royal Colleges and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges—supported GMC regulation as necessary for patient safety and consistency.
Key findings
- The 2019 government consultation on regulating medical associate professionals received over 3,000 responses, with 95% supporting statutory regulation for PAs and 84% for AAs; 59% favoured the GMC as regulator.
- The Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Anaesthetists, who oversaw voluntary registers, were supportive of GMC regulatory work from the outset; the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges emphasised the value of a coherent regulatory framework.
- Early professional concerns (2017–2019) focused on deployment and scope of practice rather than opposition to the roles or principle of regulation.
- The GMC established an External Advisory Group in November 2019 with representation from 13 organisations including NHS Employers, Royal Colleges, health departments, and PA schools.
- A significant shift in external views occurred after the GMC agreed to regulate these groups; the absence of substantial controversy at the time was an important factor in the Council's decision-making.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Charlie Massey (GMC Chief Executive and Registrar), Layla Moran MP (Chair, Health and Social Care Select Committee), Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Anaesthetists, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Department of Health and Social Care, General Medical Council
Notable line
“The broad consensus was that statutory regulation was necessary to support patient safety.”
Key Quotes
“We believe there is real value in developing MAPs as a coherent group working very closely with doctors. For that reason, we believe there is a strong case for MAPs to be regulated by the GMC to ensure a consistency and commonality of approach.”
“… the most significant shift in external views occurred some time after the GMC had agreed to regulate these groups.”
“… the absence of substantial controversy at the time was an important factor in our Council's decision -making so my Council concluded that this was a role that the GMC would be prepared to undertake …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗