More than 90% of PAs have said the Leng Review into the safety and effectiveness of the role has ‘negatively affected their mental health’, a survey by the PA trade union has shown.
The survey of 695 PAs carried out by United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs), 95% reported that the Government-commissioned review has had ‘a detrimental effect’ on their mental health, with ‘several associates reporting that they have considered suicide’, according to the union.
The review, published in July and accepted in full by the Government, said that PAs should be renamed ‘assistants’, should not see undifferentiated patients outside of clearly determined protocols, and that they should have at least two years’ training in secondary care before being allowed to practise in primary care.
The survey findings based on responses to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ 9) found that 26% of PAs have felt they would be ‘better off dead’ since the review, with 7% saying they feel this way every day.
And 86% showed some degree of depression based on PHQ-9 questions used to assess mental health, with 21% qualifying as ‘severe’ meaning they would ‘likely meet the criteria for referral to specialist mental health services’, UMAPs said.
As part of the survey one PA said: ‘Since the Leng review outcome, I have had sleepless nights. I took a mortgage out two years ago based on my circumstances.
‘I love my job and I never thought it could be taken away just like that. I have even contemplated suicide.’
Another PA said: ‘The day after the Leng review came out, I had a PV [per vaginal] bleed (I was 11 weeks pregnant at the time) which resulted in an admission to A&E. I should be avoiding stress, and now is the most stressed I’ve been in years.
’Commenting on the survey findings, UMAPs general secretary Stephen Nash claimed: ‘The Leng review has left medical associate professionals with a complete lack of certainty about their futures and opened them up to even greater victimisation by the BMA and anti-MAP doctors.
‘By publishing this data and filing our judicial review, we are taking a stand against the bullying of PAs by the medical establishment.’
However, the BMA rejected his allegation and demanded that it was withdrawn.
A spokesperson said: ‘It is sad to hear that many PAs are feeling distressed and uncertain about their future, a predictable result of terrible workforce planning from previous governments and NHS bodies that could not assure patient safety before expanding the role. The BMA has always been clear PAs themselves are not to blame for this rushed rollout, the fault for which lies firmly with those in leadership positions. We have also been clear that any victimisation or bullying of PAs by other NHS staff is to be utterly condemned.
‘We do not recognise this allegation of bullying or victimisation from the BMA, and we demand the withdrawal of this inflammatory claim.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We take the wellbeing of all NHS staff extremely seriously. Any healthcare professional experiencing mental health difficulties should seek support immediately through their employer’s occupational health services, their GP, or crisis support services.
‘The Leng Review was commissioned to ensure patient safety remains paramount whilst providing clarity on roles within the NHS. The recommendations were developed following extensive evidence gathering and consultation with healthcare professionals, patients, and safety experts.
‘We are committed to implementing the review’s recommendations in a way that supports both patient safety and workforce wellbeing.’
Meanwhile, following the review, although GP practices were asked by NHS England to take ‘immediate actions’ to implement the changes, last month an NHS England FAQs document appeared to water down these actions, saying that any changes are contingent on ‘local change management policies’, employment law and discussions with trade unions.
For example it said: ‘Any changes to official job titles should be done in accordance with the organisation’s local change management policy, with proper regard to employment law and involve affected members of staff and local trade unions.’
A version of this article was first published by our sister title Pulse
