Claudia Webbe calls on government to reverse ‘dangerous’ changes to medical associate roles

CLAUDIA WEBBE called on the government today to reverse “dangerous” changes to new medical associate roles in the NHS that have been linked to at least two avoidable patient deaths.

The Leicester East MP had previously objected last week in Parliament against government attempts to railroad through new measures to regulate medical associates by the General Medical Council.

Agreeing with concerns raised by doctors and their representative bodies, she highlighted how, through the NHS Workplace Plan, the government is expanding the use of associate roles where qualified medical professionals should be used.

Ms Webbe highlighted the case of one physician associate who posted on social media about performing basic brain surgery and “learning on the job.”

The MP warned of the dangers of these roles being used to present increased NHS staff numbers at lower costs.

She said today: “The increased use of staff without medical training to perform procedures can only increase the danger to patients.

“The tragic deaths of Emily Chesterton and Ben Peters show the danger is very real.

“I have urged the government to reverse these changes, to ensure patients know the level of training of the person treating them and to prevent the inevitable two-tier system this will create.”

Ms Webbe said the public must have confidence that the people treating them are qualified doctors and that doctors are performing doctor roles.

“But there is little sign that this government is listening to even the doctors who are best placed to know the dangers,” she said.

“The government should think again.”

Claudia Webbe MP is the member of Parliament for Leicester East. You can follow her at www.facebook.com/claudiaforLE and twitter.com/ClaudiaWebbe