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Reply 1

Original post
by Jnwwkwkwkwkw
hi, is anyone going to University of Birmingham to do PA? 25/26
Might be worth waiting for the Leng Review and court case in May before committing to starting this course .

Reply 2

Original post
by Jnwwkwkwkwkw
hi, is anyone going to University of Birmingham to do PA? 25/26

Do some research.

How many jobs are there advertised for PAs currently?

How many people are there currently studying the PA course at all the universities that run the course?

When you have done this research it will tell you the answer to how many people on the course won't get a job at the end of it. For example. If there are 36 PA courses and only one person on each course if there are only a couple of jobs advertised each month then 12 of those people on the course won't get a job.

If there are more than 1 person on each course and only around 24 jobs a year you can work out what the chances of you getting a job would be.

Reply 4

Original post
by lolmenameinnit
Hii I am!
Don’t . Are you really going to pay 20k to be called an ASSISTANT? Because that is what you’ll be

Reply 5

Original post
by Blueberrypop
Don’t . Are you really going to pay 20k to be called an ASSISTANT? Because that is what you’ll be


Pls why are you everywhere

Reply 6

Original post
by Anonymous
Pls why are you everywhere

Just trying to make sure that people realise that these courses don't lead to PA jobs because there are more people studying the courses than there are jobs for them. Also one university has published transferable skills from this course obviously because even the university thinks that students on the PA course won't get a job as a PA.

Reply 7

Original post
by Jnwwkwkwkwkw
hi, is anyone going to University of Birmingham to do PA? 25/26

If you are still intending to do this course you will need to contact the university to see if the content on the course has changed since the name change of the role to Physician Assistant.

Reply 8

Original post
by Flamingo10
If you are still intending to do this course you will need to contact the university to see if the content on the course has changed since the name change of the role to Physician Assistant.

Why would you need to see if the content has changed just because the name is changing? I’ve seen the content and will still be carrying on, makes no difference as whoever wants to be a physician assistant will be one.

Reply 9

Original post
by ayushixx
Why would you need to see if the content has changed just because the name is changing? I’ve seen the content and will still be carrying on, makes no difference as whoever wants to be a physician assistant will be one.

Because it isn't just a name change. The role had changed as well. For example there will now be a national scope of practice to work to as well as activities taken in the past that the new role can no longer do. The university course because it is a vocational course needs to meet the requirements of the new role.

I don't think anyone would want to pay for and study something that is now not needed for the role like diagnosing patients.
Another reminder to keep things civil. You may dislike the course, the role or people criticising either of those, but negging on people just makes you look like a plonker.

Reply 11

Original post
by ayushixx
Why would you need to see if the content has changed just because the name is changing? I’ve seen the content and will still be carrying on, makes no difference as whoever wants to be a physician assistant will be one.

The content has changed . No more diagnosing undifferentiated patients , no requesting non- ionising radiation. Heavy supervision. Half of what it taught on the course won’t be relevant anymore. It’s an assistant role now . https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/response-to-the-recommendations-of-the-independent-review-of-physician-associates-and-anaesthesia-associates-the-leng-review-2/

Reply 12

Original post
by ayushixx
Why would you need to see if the content has changed just because the name is changing? I’ve seen the content and will still be carrying on, makes no difference as whoever wants to be a physician assistant will be one.

Which is why Nash is fuming https://umaps.org.uk/preliminary-advice-for-members-on-employment-arrangements-following-the-leng-review-and-related-nhs-guidance/

Reply 13

Original post
by ayushixx
Why would you need to see if the content has changed just because the name is changing? I’ve seen the content and will still be carrying on, makes no difference as whoever wants to be a physician assistant will be one.

Leng explains her reasons here . Have you read the report ? https://youtu.be/z0qZgOzgmZg?si=KW6cvEAgMszmqlaM

Reply 14

Original post
by ayushixx
Why would you need to see if the content has changed just because the name is changing? I’ve seen the content and will still be carrying on, makes no difference as whoever wants to be a physician assistant will be one.
Nash said it virtually makes PAs nothing more than a HCA.

Reply 15

From an FY2 who has worked with PAs - some advise aimed at trying to stop people making a mistake. if you disagree, I understand.

This is a dead role.

PA courses are being closed/in clearing

The Leng Review is the final nail - cannot diagnose or see undifferentiated patients.

GPs have been steadily releasing their PAs over the last year. The Leng review makes it absolutely crazy to employ a PA on a PA salary and then they cannot diagnose/see undifferentiated patients. Primary care was already a dead area based on the RCGP scope guidelines. the Leng review has added the finishing touches.

In Secondary care, Emergency medicine is a no go area for PAs as per NHS guidelines after the Leng review.

Streeting has virtually confirmed that the 10K PA plans in next 10 years is going to be reviewed (i.e this won't happen)

Summary: DO NOT BECOME A PA UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE UNEMPLOYED

Reply 16

Shame on all the universities charging 20K to poor students for a course that is a guarantee to be unemployed. If you still have doubts, ask yourselves some simple questions please:

1.

GPs have been releasing PAs steadily. More PAs are being released in Primary care then taken on. Do you honestly think GPs will continue taking on PAs after the Leng review and now that the ARRS funding has been opened up to take on new Doctors?

2.

The NHS guidelines have stressed the Leng findings regards not diagnosing and not being able to see undifferentiated patients. PAs cannot now work in ED also. Put yourself in the shoes of Secondary care recruiters considering the scarce budgets. Would you take on a PA at 43K knowing their new limited scope?

3.

Universities are now suggesting transferrable skills for the PA course - they know its a dead end course. In reality - who would take on a PA other then a hospital or GP surgery? Most PAs who have lost their jobs in the last year have moved away from healthcare. Why do you think this is happening?

It's not rocket science. Its not an anti-PA tirade. It's common sense and it's aimed at preventing people spending 20K to be unemployed or working in a rile with zero respect/responsibility/impact.
(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 17

Original post
by APPLICANT2016
Shame on all the universities charging 20K to poor students for a course that is a guarantee to be unemployed. If you still have doubts, ask yourselves some simple questions please:

1.

GPs have been releasing PAs steadily. More PAs are being released in Primary care then taken on. Do you honestly think GPs will continue taking on PAs after the Leng review and now that the ARRS funding has been opened up to take on new Doctors?

2.

The NHS guidelines have stressed the Leng findings regards not diagnosing and not being able to see undifferentiated patients. PAs cannot now work in ED also. Put yourself in the shoes of Secondary care recruiters considering the scarce budgets. Would you take on a PA at 43K knowing their new limited scope?

3.

Universities are now suggesting transferrable skills for the PA course - they know its a dead end course. In reality - who would take on a PA other then a hospital or GP surgery? Most PAs who have lost their jobs in the last year have moved away from healthcare. Why do you think this is happening?

It's not rocket science. Its not an anti-PA tirade. It's common sense and it's aimed at preventing people spending 20K to be unemployed or working in a rile with zero respect/responsibility/impact.

That is £20k plus living expenses. It isn't cheap. I have been telling people what the problems are with this course for months. For months now there have been more people doing PA studies that jobs advertised in a year.

People believing that there are no problems with this course have been telling me that I am anti PA. I am not anti PA I am against universities offering vocational courses at great expense with no job at the end.

Reply 18

I’ll be starting September at uob but nervous now

Reply 19

Original post
by Aishstar
I’ll be starting September at uob but nervous now

Not being rude but are you CRAZY?
Withdraw immediately. Have you seen the situation right now . Those who qualified in 2024 and 2025 still haven’t found jobs . There are NO Jobs on NHS jobs . Have you read the Leng Report ?

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