Loss of life sparks concern over non-medically certified hospital employees

A coroner has mentioned the general public is being misled over what an NHS doctor affiliate (PA) does after a lady died following hospital failings, together with being misdiagnosed with a nosebleed.

Pamela Marking went to A&E at East Surrey Hospital in February 2024 after vomiting blood and having tenderness in her aspect.

She was instructed by a PA she had a nosebleed and was despatched residence, however the 77-year-old truly had a hernia and died 4 days later following problems along with her care after being readmitted to hospital.

A Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Belief spokesperson mentioned it might “look fastidiously” on the coroner’s report back to be taught classes on enhancing companies and delivering the most secure attainable care.

“Our deepest sympathies stay with Ms Marking’s household and family members at this very tough time,” they added.

“We want to categorical our profound remorse for his or her loss.”

An NHS spokesperson mentioned the NHS has “all the time been clear that doctor associates are usually not replacements for medical doctors and will solely apply with acceptable medical supervision”.

“However there stay official considerations in regards to the roles,” they added.

The coroner’s prevention of future deaths report, despatched to the Division of Well being and Social Care and NHS England, mentioned the PA didn’t perceive the importance of Ms Marking’s signs and had not examined her absolutely.

Dr Karen Henderson, assistant coroner for Surrey, referred to as the time period doctor affiliate “deceptive” and mentioned there was a “lack of public data” that they weren’t medically certified.

PAs are graduates – often with a well being or life sciences diploma – who’ve undertaken two years of postgraduate coaching.

The NHS mentioned they work underneath the supervision of a physician and may diagnose individuals, take medical histories, carry out bodily examinations, see sufferers with long-term situations, analyse check outcomes and develop administration plans.

“This blurring of roles with out public data… has the potential to devalue and undermine public confidence within the medical occupation,” mentioned Dr Henderson.

She added it may additionally “compromise affected person security” with PAs probably enterprise roles outdoors their competency.

The Division of Well being and Social Care mentioned it had launched an impartial evaluate into doctor associates to “set up the information and guarantee that we get the appropriate individuals in the appropriate locations offering the appropriate care.”