Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of physician assistants currently employed in the NHS; and what plans they have to expand the number of physician assistants in England.

As of June 2022, there were 1,261 full time equivalent (FTE) physician associates (PAs) employed in National Health Service hospital trusts and commissioning bodies. This is an increase of 18% from the previous year. In September 2002, there were also 1,362 FTE PAs employed in general practice and Primary Care Networks, an increase of 51% from the previous year.

There are approximately 1,800 students on a PA programme. Health Education England offers a £5,000 preceptorship allowance paid to employers to support the supervision and educational needs for newly qualified PAs working in primary care.