The College of Medical Associate Professionals and United Medical Associate Professionals Trade Union would like to extend our sincere congratulations to all the universities who have now received accreditation for their PA and AA programmes from the General Medical Council (GMC).
We are delighted to see that the majority of Physician Associate programmes have achieved accreditation. It is also extremely heartening to note that all of the current AA programmes have been accredited by the GMC, and we congratulate them on this remarkable achievement.
GMC accreditation ensures that PA and AA programmes provide a standardised education for our students, and that the course providers meet the stringent academic requirements imposed upon them to educate and produce safe and competent practitioners. Accredited programmes deliver the GMC’s approved PARA and ARA curricula, ensuring a high calibre of graduate upon completion of their studies.
The outcome of the GMC’s accreditation review indicates that the overwhelming majority of universities and medical schools who have graduated PAs and AAs over the last two decades have provided teaching of the highest standard, and their programmes have met all professional, regulatory expectations. This proves once and for all that PAs and AAs are highly educated, safe, and able graduates who are positive additions to the medical workforce; unsubstantiated accusations to the contrary are patently untrue.
We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the outstanding work of the PA and AA course leaders, tutors, and support staff who have gone above and beyond to ensure that the courses they offer provide their students with the best possible education, and adequately prepare them for their careers as future medical professionals.
Even in the most trying of times, these educators have continued to support and inspire their students, and we thank them for their dedication to our professions and their unfailing vision and leadership.
As the representative body (CMAPs), and trade union (UMAPs) for PAs and AAs in the United Kingdom, we could not be prouder of our MAP educators. You are the future of our professions, and this incredible outcome proves that our student body could not be in safer hands.
We were pleased to note the very positive statement from NHS Employers in relation to GMC course accreditation, and we now call on them to begin the process of creating new graduate posts for PAs and AAs as a matter of urgency.
For further information about membership, or to access our library of PA and AA guidance documents, please visit our websites at UMAPs and CMAPs.
