The UK’s Royal College of Physicians has issued an apology after being accused of Orwellian manipulations over its support for ‘cheap doctor replacements‘.

It follows the conduct of senior officials during an extraordinary general meeting to allow members to vote on the UK Government’s rollout of physician associates (PAs).

In recent years some 3000 PAs — seen as the ultimate incarnation of the ‘noctor’ — have been trained via a two-year master’s degree to work under medical supervision.

Depending on the role, some are allowed to perform surgery or administer anaesthesia, along with managing medications and administering fluid and blood therapy during surgery.