We are launching a one-year pilot of physician associates (PAs) within ophthalmology, starting in November 2023.
Physician associates are growing in number in the NHS, and the RCOphth and NHS England are keen to explore how the PA role may fit into the ophthalmological workforce. The pilot has been funded by NHS England (formerly HEE) who are exploring ways to
expand the healthcare workforce while adhering to the centrally-led directive to increase the use of non-medical eye care professionals within the hospital eye service environment.
We believe we are ideally placed to run a pilot that will aim to set the standards of a PA in ophthalmology, by defining the potential future roles, responsibilities and scope of practice for a PA within the ophthalmological multidisciplinary team.