A trade union says it is taking legal action against GP practices in UK for dismissing physician associates amid warnings that patients are at risk.

There are currently around 3500 physician associates (PAs) working in the UK, but the role has become intensely controversial, with doctors concerned they are doing medical work beyond the scope of their two-year training. 

Last year the British Medical Association (BMA) issued guidance which said PAs should be prevented from assessing and diagnosing patients, and instead limited to simple practical procedures and administrative tasks. 

The Royal College of General Practitioners followed suit a few months later, advising doctors that PAs should only see patients who have first been triaged by a GP, and only undertake work delegated to them.