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Welcome to the College of Medical Associate Professionals (CMAPs), your independent professional body dedicated to representing and advocating for Medical Associate Professionals (MAPs) across the UK. Formed by the formerly elected leadership of the Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) in partnership with the United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs), CMAPs is here to provide a dedicated voice for MAPs, including Physician Associates (PAs), Anaesthesia Associates (AAs), and Surgical Care Practitioners (SCPs). We are committed to supporting your professional journey, ensuring that your contributions are recognised, and that you have the resources needed to deliver the highest standards of care.
About CMAPs
The College of Medical Associate Professionals (CMAPs) is a new professional association for PAs and AAs, aims to be the leading authority and advocate for MAPs, setting the highest standards for the education and clinical practice of MAPs and ensuring patient safety and trust in the PA and AA professions.
Our mission is clear: to advance the Medical Associate Professions through education, advocacy, and collaboration, ensuring that MAPs are highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals committed to compassionate, team-based, patient-centered care.
The College will serve as a hub, supporting future and current PAs and AAs through:
- educational and continuing professional development opportunities
- professional guidance
- advocacy work
- research initiatives
- creating a vibrant professional community.
We aim to empower members, enabling them to lead and inspire within their respective fields.
The College, spearheaded by former elected national representatives, and in partnership with members of the UMAPs Caretaker Council, will shape a new path for our professions. Together as Medical Associate Professionals, CMAPS will set the direction of travel for our professions, establishing a College that is led by MAPs, for MAPs.
Our Goals and Aims
At CMAPs, our mission is to:
- Advocate for MAPs: We are committed to ensuring that MAPs have a strong, independent voice in all matters affecting their professional practice, from policy discussions to professional standards.
- Promote Professional Development: CMAPs offers access to high-quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities to help you grow in your career and excel in your clinical practice.
- Prioritise Patient Safety: We believe that patient safety is paramount. CMAPs supports MAPs in maintaining the highest standards of competence and care.
- Collaborate with Stakeholders: We work closely with healthcare institutions, regulatory bodies, and educational providers to shape a future where MAPs are respected and integral members of the healthcare team.
- Unite the MAP Community: CMAPs provides a professional home for all MAPs, creating a space for collaboration, innovation, and shared success.
Get Involved: Founding Membership
Founding membership with CMAPs offers a unique opportunity to be part of the foundational phase of our organisation. As a founding member, you will play an integral role in shaping the future of the College of Medical Associate Professionals (CMAPs), and in recognition of your commitment and patience during this formative period, we are offering several exclusive benefits:
- Lifelong Discount: Founding members will enjoy a lifelong discount on their membership fees as a token of our appreciation for your early support while we go through the necessary legal steps to facilitate the College’s ratification.
- Exclusive Post-Nominals: Founding members will be granted the privilege of using CMAPs post-nominals, signifying that they are held to a higher standard of accountability and professionalism within the MAP community.
- Role in Formation: While founding member status does not initially confer full voting rights, you will have a crucial role in the formation of the organisation. Your input will be invaluable as we establish the structures and governance of CMAPs.
- Full Membership Upon Formation: Once the College is fully established, founding members will automatically transition to full membership status, with all associated rights and privileges.
Becoming a founding member of CMAPs is more than just joining a professional body—it’s about contributing to the creation of an institution that will advocate for and support Medical Associate Professionals for years to come. We invite you to join us on this journey and help shape the future of MAPs.
Fully qualified physician associates (PA), anaesthesia associates (AA) and surgical care practitioners (SCP) can join as Members of CMAPs.
Benefits include:
- Membership of the only independent professional membership body for all Medical Associate Professions
- Access to educational development opportunities, such as continuing professional development
- Regular membership updates
- Regular updates on your profession
- Opportunity to stand for elected positions
- Opportunity to apply for appointed positions
- Opportunity to become involved with college committees,
- Advocacy work, including promoting and shaping the future of your profession
- Post nominals: CMAP(PA), CMAP(AA), CMAP(SCP)
- Future access to the CMAP community, to share knowledge, ideas and networking opportunities
FAQs
What is CMAPs?
The College of Medical Associate Professionals (CMAPs) is an independent professional body established to represent and advocate for Medical Associate Professionals (MAPs), including Physician Associates (PAs), Anaesthesia Associates (AAs), and Surgical Care Practitioners (SCPs).
Why was CMAPs formed?
CMAPs was formed to provide an independent voice for MAPs, free from conflicts of interest, and to ensure that MAPs have the support and resources they need to succeed in their careers and deliver high-quality care.
How is CMAPs different from other organisations?
CMAPs is uniquely positioned as an independent body solely focused on the needs and interests of MAPs. Unlike other organisations, CMAPs was established by the formerly elected leaders of the FPA in response to the need for a dedicated advocacy platform for MAPs.
What are the benefits of joining CMAPs?
Members of CMAPs gain access to exclusive resources, CPD opportunities, networking events, and a strong advocacy platform that ensures your voice is heard in the healthcare community.
Who can join CMAPs?
Membership is open to all MAPs, including Physician Associates, Anaesthesia Associates, and Surgical Care Practitioners. We also welcome students and professionals interested in supporting the advancement of the MAP profession.
What are the benefits of joining CMAPs?
Members of CMAPs gain access to exclusive resources, CPD opportunities, networking events, and a strong advocacy platform that ensures your voice is heard in the healthcare community.
Membership benefits include:
- Membership of the only independent professional membership body for all medical associate professions
- Access to educational development opportunities, such as continuing professional development
- Regular membership updates
- Regular updates on your profession
- Opportunity to stand for elected positions
- Opportunity to apply for appointed positions
- Opportunity to become involved with college committees,
- Advocacy work, including promoting and shaping the future of your profession
- Post nominals: CMAP(PA), CMAP(AA), CMAP(SCP)
- Future access to the CMAP community, to share knowledge, ideas and networking opportunities
Can I leave the FPA now that I’m part of CMAPs?
At this time, CMAPs is designed to complement, not replace, your existing membership with the Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA). By becoming a member of CMAPs, you are committing to an enhanced level of professionalism and standards.
It’s important to note that the FPA still maintains the Managed Voluntary Register (MVR) and has a data-sharing agreement with the General Medical Council (GMC). This agreement allows the FPA to share your Physician Associate National Exam (PANE) results, proof of qualification from your postgraduate degree, and your personal information with the GMC. This process will facilitate your registration when the GMC opens its register. Those who are not on the MVR will need to contact the GMC directly and provide this information themselves.
Is CMAPs replacing the FPA or the Association of Anaesthesia Associates (AAA)?
No, CMAPs is not replacing the FPA or the AAA. The FPA is currently in a complex stage of its life cycle. We intend to engage constructively with the FPA and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). We will work collaboratively to advocate for MAPs.
The AAA serves as an important advocacy body for Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) and plays a critical role within the MAP community. CMAPs fully supports the work of the AAA and will continue to do so. We view all bodies that represent MAPs as allied organisations and will be actively seeking official liaisons with them in the near future.
Do we have stakeholder engagement?
Yes, UMAPs LTD is already recognised by a range of stakeholders within the healthcare sector. We have provided advanced notice of the creation of CMAPs to all those have previously engaged with UMAPs, and we are optimistic that they will continue to engage and work with CMAPs in a collaborative manner as we progress to achieving our aims. Our goal is to maintain and strengthen these relationships as we move forward.
What does CMAP(PA), CMAP(AA) or CMAP(SCP) mean?
The CMAPs post-nominals serve as a watermark of quality, signaling to your colleagues and patients that you are in good standing with the college and actively taking additional steps to be a trusted Medical Associate Professional (MAP).
