Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Paul Howell and Steve Barclay

Tuesday 17th October 2023 Commons Chamber

[Steve Barclay]

All clinical roles need to have the right regulation around them, and we need to ensure that patient safety is to the fore. The hon. Lady gives a very good illustration of how the Labour party talks about reform, but not when it comes to the reform of new roles, having new roles in the NHS and having a ladder of opportunity for people to come into the NHS. Physician associates are people with masters’ degrees: these people are highly skilled. Of course, we need to get the regulation right. However, the Labour party talks about reform, but when it comes to standing up to the trade unions, it is not willing to do so, which is why, when there is an innovation such as physician associates, it wants to block it.

[Paul Howell (Sedgefield) (Con)]

3. What steps he is taking to help prevent suicide.