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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

BSMS celebrates regulation milestone for Physician Associates

BSMS > About BSMS > News > 2024 > BSMS celebrates regulation milestone for Physician Associates

BSMS celebrates regulation milestone for Physician Associates

Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) proudly joins the Physician Associate (PA) profession in celebrating the landmark introduction of regulation by the General Medical Council (GMC). This long-awaited milestone marks a significant step forward in improving patient safety, fostering collaboration, and advancing high-quality multidisciplinary healthcare.

Regulation brings with it a unified framework, ensuring that PAs meet consistent and rigorous professional standards. This not only strengthens trust within healthcare teams but also enhances confidence among the patients we serve.

Professor Richard McManus, Dean at BSMS, said: “We have always championed the principles of teamwork and integrated care. The formal regulation of PAs solidifies their role as essential contributors to multidisciplinary teams, working alongside doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care.”

Kate Bascombe, Course Lead for the PA MSc course at BSMS, said: “GMC regulation is the start of a new chapter in the history of the PA profession bringing with it the enhanced patient safety, accountability and public confidence in our role. It will help foster stronger working relationships between PAs the wider healthcare team.”

Regulation provides an exciting platform for innovation, leadership and the continued integration of PAs into a variety of healthcare settings. The medical school sees this as a pivotal moment for the profession, one that opens doors for greater opportunities in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Prof McManus adds: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated faculty, alumni and clinical partners for their tireless efforts in supporting the PA profession and helping make this milestone possible. Together, we look forward to shaping a future where PAs continue to play an integral role in the healthcare system.”

About Physician Associates at BSMS:
BSMS has been at the forefront of PA education, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in diverse healthcare environments.

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