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With the introduction, on 16 December 2024, of GMC registration for both Physician Associates (PAs) and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs), all Medical Associate Professions are now regulated. Surgical Care Practitioners (SCPs), the third Associate Profession, were already regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Health Care Professions Council depending on their background.
From this month, we are pleased to offer our new Associate plan directly to all Medical Associate Professionals. The plan is suitable for Physician and Anaesthesia Associates and Surgical Care Practitioners, and will provide both professional Clinical Defence, delivered by our team of in-house solicitors and medico-legal experts, and Employment Support from our specialists in the sector.
This combination of in-house skills is one of our unique strengths, as with just one membership, our members can receive advice and representation on regulatory matters and proceedings, patient complaints and other clinical matters as well as for issues with employment law, such as dismissals, internal disciplinaries, rotas, leave and more. No other Medical Defence Organisation currently offers this level of service.
MDS Membership and our clinical defence services have already been available to Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates since mid-2024 through our partnership with United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs) as an additional benefit to their membership. In under six months, we have supported over 60 Physician Associates with clinical and employment issues.
After the success of this partnership, we have taken the further step to open our membership directly to all registered Medical Associate Professionals. Our partnership with UMAPs remains, but from today, Physician Associates, Anaesthesia Associates, as well as Surgical Care practitioners will be able to apply for MDS membership directly, without the need of signing up to a separate organisation.
If you are thinking of joining MDS, but have some questions for us first, please call us on 0300 30 32 442 or email us at [email protected].
Medical associate professionals (MAPs) are important roles contributing to the delivery of patient care in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). These professionals, including physician associates (PAs), anaesthesia associates (AAs), and surgical care practitioners (SCPs), work alongside doctors and other healthcare staff to provide support in diagnosing, managing, and treating patients. These roles have often been identified as part of the solution to workforce issues outlined in the NHS long term workforce plans.
The introduction of registration requirements by the General Medical Council (GMC) for MAPs (started on 16 December 2024) has been a significant step towards ensuring the necessary standards of practice are met. Registration will provide assurance to patients, employers and other medical professionals that PAs and AAs have the right level of training, meet agreed standards and that they can be held accountable if concerns about their practice are raised.
Regulatory and disciplinary processes can be complex to navigate. Medical Defence Organisations such as MDS can provide guidance and support to bring forward the best possible outcome.
What is more is that we can also assist with responding to patient and employer complaints, offer advice and representation in fitness to practice and Coroner investigations, employment and contractual issues.
Our Associate plan covers both Clinical defence as well as employment support services. It means that as a MDS member on the Associate plan, whether you need advice on patient complaints, support with regulatory (GMC, NMC, HCPC) issues, or a contractual dispute, our teams will be in your corner and support you to the best possible outcome.
In more detail, the plan covers:
Clinical and professional disciplinary defence: Including advice and representation in proceedings before a regulatory body (GMC/NMC/HCPC), appeals against sanctions (subject to discretion), Coroner inquests.
Professional defence against clinical complaints and proceedings: Including assistance with responding to patient complaints and with any formal investigations into them.
Allegations of a criminal nature, provided such matters arise during the course of usual and declared clinical practice.
Advice on professional issues: Including confidentiality, ethical issues, Medico-Legal practice, GMC Good Medical practice.
Worldwide Good Samaritan cover
Advice and representation on contractual issues: Including employment contracts, pay progression, leave, job planning, rotas and more.
Advice and representation in grievance procedures: Including disputes about terms and conditions of employment, remuneration, bullying, harassment or discrimination.
Advice and representation in employer disciplinary processes: Including performance and capability, defence in disciplinary processes resulting from complaints from patients, employees or colleagues.
