Physician assistants have claimed a legal victory in holding off the UK government’s moves to force a name change and restrict their scope of practice.

The union for physician assistants says the UK will not restrict the controversial role until a judicial review of the changes is complete, while NHS England refuses to comment.

In 2024 the UK Government ordered an independent review of physician assistants (PAs) amid concerns these “cheap substitutes” for doctors, with their two-year postgraduate qualifications, were risking patient safety.

The review was released last month, recommending a name change from physician associates to physician assistants, a ban on seeing undifferentiated patients and a ban on GP practices hiring newly qualified PAs.