PAs: BMA raises considerations over unsafe working practices at Plymouth hospital

The BMA has accused College Hospitals Plymouth NHS Belief of unsafe and unprofessional apply and raised “critical considerations” concerning the belief’s working preparations between resident docs and doctor associates (PAs).1Writing to the belief, BMA chair of council Philip Banfield criticised a leaked departmental e-mail, the place docs the belief have been instructed to “prescribe all needed drugs” for doctor associates, in addition to requesting imaging and different investigations on their behalf.Within the communication to a ward medical staff from a senior division determine at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, resident docs have been instructed to organise a casual rota for signing off prescriptions and imaging requests from a PA. The e-mail mentioned residents needs to be proactive in asking the everlasting PA whether or not they have investigations or imaging to request, including that PAs couldn’t prescribe, owing to a “number of points.”PAs will not be authorised beneath UK legislation to prescribe prescription solely medication,2 one thing clearly acknowledged…