The College of Medical Associate Professionals and United Medical Associate Professionals Trade Union are delighted to announce the publication of our Leng Review evidence submission documents.  

The National Enquiry Research Group, comprising of members from both CMAPs and UMAPs, has worked tirelessly over the past few months to collect, collate, and review evidence submissions in what has been the biggest data collection exercise in MAP history. Whilst individual PAs have gathered colleague and patient feedback as part of their annual appraisals, this data collection project is the first national, professional audit of MAPs to date.  

Our research group members have worked diligently on this incredible piece of work, dedicating their time to this project with the utmost professionalism and enthusiasm, even in the most challenging of times.  

Alice Fitzpatrick, Co-President of The College of Medical Associate Professionals, wished to personally extend her thanks to the evidence submission team for their exemplary work.  

“We would like to thank those individual PAs and AAs who have sacrificed weeks and months of their time to ensure that this work was carried out to the highest possible standard. Their efforts have been invaluable during this process, and they have done themselves and our professions proud.”  

She continued, “We would also like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Physician Associates, Anaesthesia Associates, supervisors, educators, and colleagues who took time out of their busy schedules to submit evidence. Whilst this incredible piece of work has really highlighted all that we can achieve together as a profession, it has also proven just how valuable PAs and AAs are to their colleagues in the wider MDT and to the patients they care for.” 

With anti-MAP campaigns spearheaded by the BMA and Doctors’ Vote controlling the PA narrative in national media coverage, it would be far too easy for us to believe the rhetoric they have created; that MAPs are unsafe. That we do not contribute to safe and effective patient care. That we are not valuable or indeed valued members of the MDT.  

The colleague feedback we have received proves in no uncertain terms that that is simply not true. We were heartened to see an incredible number of colleague feedback submissions with the vast majority coming from doctors and nurses, as well as other members of our clinical teams who wanted to make their voices heard in support of their MAP colleagues. Their opinion of MAPs was unanimous; PAs and AAs are safe, trusted, competent, and valued members of the workforce.  

Similarly, the consensus from patients was that their personal experiences with MAPs has been very positive, and they trust us to be part of their healthcare team. PAs and AAs should be proud of the work they do in supporting and caring for patients, and for their positive impact on so many patients’ healthcare journeys. 

Clinical audits and Trust-submitted data clearly prove that PAs are safe practitioners who provide invaluable continuity of care to patients, and vital support to the wider clinical team. FOI requests from over 40 Trusts who employ PAs indicate that only 3 out of 40,000 serious clinical incident reports involved a Physician Associate. This proves once and for all that claims of MAPs being unsafe or incompetent practitioners are not born out of real concern for patient safety standards, but from an agenda of professional protectionism.  

As UMAPs General Secretary, Stephen Nash stated, “This is not a debate grounded in evidence, it is driven by protectionism and power consolidation. The BMA has failed, over two years, to produce any credible, data-driven case against MAPs. Our evidence shows that MAPs are safe, effective, and overwhelmingly valued by patients and supervisors alike. The campaign to misrepresent their role is not only baseless but harmful to workforce morale, integration, and ultimately, to patient care.” 

As we await the outcome of the Leng Review, we acknowledge our data collection project as a tremendous success that has exceeded all expectations. The volume and breadth of evidence we have collected is unprecedented. From research papers and case studies to patient feedback statements, surveys, and audits; the quality and quantity of data speaks for itself.  

We can be assured that our profession has taken every opportunity to defend and vindicate itself against this barrage of baseless accusations and propaganda.  

Over the past few months, we have witnessed first-hand the amazing feats we can accomplish when we work together as one powerful, unified team. We are making history here at UMAPs and CMAPs, and we are so incredibly proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with you as we look towards a brighter future for our professions.