New data has revealed the number of safety events involving physician associates (PAs) reported at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust over the past three years, raising ongoing questions about patient safety, supervision, and the evolving role of PAs within the NHS.

According to figures obtained by Medical Negligence Assist, the trust recorded six safety events involving physician associates between 2020 and 2024.

Patient safety events are categorised by severity, and these incidents included four no-harm events and two low-harm events.

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These findings come after a growing national debate about the safety and governance of physician associate roles within the NHS.

Back in March, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said: “Evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the PA role is essential if the NHS intends to make the case for further development and investment in the medical associate professions.”

While some trusts report small incident numbers, often recorded as “<5” due to confidentiality rules, experts warn that the trend reflects deeper concerns about the rapid expansion of the PA workforce and the lack of clarity around their clinical responsibilities. In July 2025, NHS England accepted a proposal to prevent physician associates (PAs) from treating undiagnosed patients following a national review of the roles of PAs. The causes of PA safety events at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust varied, with medication identified as the most common contributing factor. Other reported causes included treatments, procedures and investigations.. image.jpeg According to NHS England, safety events are defined as ‘serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents that should not occur if healthcare providers follow established guidelines and safety recommendations.’ There are currently around 4,500 PAs and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) in the UK after being introduced to help relieve pressure on doctors and increase patient access. However, with NHS England’s plan to triple the workforce to 10,000 by the mid-2030s, the lack of robust evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness has drawn criticism from medical bodies. The rise in PA-related incidents has prompted calls for clearer boundaries, enhanced supervision, and stronger regulation to ensure patient safety remains central to NHS care delivery. Medical Negligence Assist provides expert claim and legal advice services to those who may have suffered avoidable harm due to substandard medical care. They operate a 24-hour helpline and an online claim form, which can be accessed on their website.