Dear Member,
Donation Link: https://donate.stripe.com/28o164crl9Fg4SI5kk
I am writing to you as the Chief Executive of UMAPs Ltd, which currently hosts the forming trade union, United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs), and the College of Medical Associate Professionals (CMAPs).
For those who attended the recent Midlands Q&A supported by UMAPs, and organised by PA Ambassadors, you were introduced to the governance structure for UMAPs and CMAPs within an umbrella body, currently known as UMAPs Ltd, which will soon be rebranded as the Medical Associate Congress (MAC). MAC serves both organisations by providing shared staffing and resources, minimising costs to members. It facilitates collaboration while ensuring each body operates independently, empowering UMAPs and CMAPs to align on critical issues while maintaining autonomy.
Urgent Update on Legal Action
On 25th October 2024, members of UMAPs’ National Executive Committee (NEC) met with our legal team to discuss the RCGP’s recent Scope of Practice guidance, released on 9th October 2024. Since the document’s publication, there has been a significant increase in unfair dismissal claims against Physician Associates; cases that could have been avoided had RCGP incorporated appropriate caveats and clarifications for existing PA contracts. Despite pre-release communication from UMAPs to RCGP highlighting these concerns, this advice appears to have been disregarded. Consequently, GPs and their practices now face potential claims, and many PA families are struggling due to sudden job loss.
Given this escalation, UMAPs has taken the extraordinary step of considering a direct legal challenge. This morning, the 28th of October 2024, we published an open letter to the RCGP, requesting specific actions to rectify the issues caused by their guidance. However, based on previous actions from the RCGP, we anticipate resistance to these requests.
Decision from the First Medical Associate Congress Meeting
Concurrently, UMAPs convened the first emergency Medical Associate Congress on 27th October 2024. The NEC of UMAPs and Interim Officers of CMAPs engaged in a three-hour meeting to discuss the current crisis, potential legal actions, and the urgency of our next steps. In my role as Chair, I abstained from voting, with PA Amanda King voting as Deputy General Secretary on behalf of UMAPs.
I can now announce that the combined Congress of the College of Medical Associate Professionals and the United Medical Associate Professionals approved unanimously the proposal to:
- Explore and undertake direct legal challenge against the RCGP for the harm caused by its statements within the scope of practice document.
- Focus the finances and workflows of the organisations to prioritise the amendments to the umbrella companies’ governance and that of the legal challenge. This may mean the slowing down of processes regarding producing 2 new legal entities, and the costs associated with them, but will focus all efforts on producing a successful legal challenge.
- Seek aid from aligned non-members through either increasing memberships or crowdfunding donations to go towards direct legal action against the RCGP or the supporting members who have legal claims with employers but do not have established indemnity at the time of event.
- To reach out to allied institutions and organisations to align as interested parties, seek financial contribution and to organise member responses to the current threat.
- To hold an emergency townhall in the next week in order to educate the members as to next steps and support needed.
- Several administrative votes required to facilitate the above.
Immediate Funding Requirement
To proceed with this challenge, we need to raise between £30,000 and £100,000. For the initial merits assessment alone, £30,000 is required within the next four weeks, with the remaining funds payable as we progress. While our 1,000 members have already shown immense support, we believe the responsibility of funding this action should not fall solely on them. There are 2,000+ PAs in primary care and an additional 2,000+ in secondary care, all of whom face the current threat of redundancy if these actions continue unchecked.
For over a year, we have fought tirelessly against this unwarranted campaign targeting MAPs. This is a pivotal moment, one where alignment and collective strength will be key to protecting our profession. By standing together, we can address the harm caused and prevent further injury to our members and the PA profession as a whole.
I urge you all to join me now in this first opportunity to formally stand for our profession, support those already affected, and safeguard our future.
Please, empower us to act on your behalf.
Donation Link: https://donate.stripe.com/28o164crl9Fg4SI5kk
Sincerely,
PA Stephen Nash
Chief Executive, UMAPs Ltd
Acting General Secretary, UMAPs
About UMAPs
The United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs) is dedicated to supporting Medical Associate Professionals (MAPs) across the UK. With a focus on employment rights, professional development, and workplace representation, UMAPs works tirelessly to ensure MAPs are treated fairly and have access to the resources they need to thrive in the healthcare sector.
