Episode 9 - The JR: Permission Granted

Did she say the quiet part out loud?! You decide. In this episode we revisit a series of official engagement webinars held during Professor Gillian Leng's independent review of Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates.Published by the Department of Health and Social Care in June 2025, these recordings offer a fascinating opportunity to hear Professor Leng discuss professional competition, medical training, the value of experienced PAs, the limitations of safety evidence and the controversy surrounding the review — before her final recommendations were published.More than a year later, with the consequences of those recommendations still being felt across the PA profession, we return to her own words and ask whether the conclusions that followed adequately reflected the evidence and concerns she acknowledged.Recordings featured in this episodeThe following extracts appear in the order discussed:Professional competition — Physician Associates webinar, 35:41. Leng discusses doctors potentially perceiving PAs as professional competition.Social media influence — Anaesthesia Associates webinar, 49:52. Leng reflects on whether the review would have happened without social media.Consultants' enthusiasm for PAs — Healthcare Professionals webinar, 56:17. The value of continuity and established clinical relationships.Experienced PAs and medical training — Resident Doctors webinar, 43:57. Consultants' assessments of experienced PAs and their clinical capabilities.Training opportunities versus patient safety — Resident Doctors webinar, 50:35. Leng acknowledges the importance of distinguishing these issues.The 'most important group' — Resident Doctors webinar, 53:45. Leng discusses the significance of resident doctors' contributions to the review.BMA survey concerns — Physician Associates webinar, 25:15. Questions about organised responses and the reliability of survey evidence.The limitations of safety evidence — Resident Doctors webinar, 38:22. Leng discusses the difficulties of establishing whether PA practice is safe or unsafe.The human consequences — Physician Associates webinar, 38:41. Employment uncertainty, livelihoods and the impact on PA wellbeing.Career progression — Physician Associates webinar, 48:06. The importance of opportunities for professional development.All timestamps are approximate and refer to the original webinar recordings.Original sourcesOfficial webinar recordings:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvaBZskxS7tzinI--pvzgq3mNWUaeQiMmDepartment of Health and Social Care — Leng Review:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/independent-review-of-physician-associates-and-anaesthesia-associatesThe Leng Review — Final Report, 16 July 2025:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-the-physician-associate-and-anaesthesia-associate-roles-final-reportAll extracts are presented for criticism, review and discussion. We encourage listeners to watch the complete recordings, read the published report and draw their own conclusions. As always you can tell us what you think at [email protected] find us on socials.

UMAPs has been granted permission to take key parts of its judicial review to a full substantive hearing.In this episode, we break down what actually survived, what didn’t, and what happens next.We also look at the wider context around the Leng Review — because although the court has refused to let the “appeasement” argument proceed, that does not mean the hostile professional and industrial environment surrounding PAs simply disappears from the story.And after years of decisions being made about our profession, some of those decisions will finally have to be defended.Better late than never.Discretion always advised.Complaints and compliments to [email protected]

Interested in the judicial review? We explain UMAPs' challenge to the Leng Review, the arguments on each side, what happened on the 8th September at the permission hearing and what could happen next. An independent 79% explainer drawing on public sources, including UMAPs' statements. UMAPs had no involvement in producing this episode. Its account of the hearing is not a judicial review finding. Listen with discretion - as always. [email protected]

If you look at X you'll understand this song. Amusement.Pure satire. Pure mischief. Please close your browser occasionally.Complaints and compliments to [email protected] you don't receive an appropriate response, please write to [email protected]

Hope this amuses you as much as it did us :)A tiny Friday-night reminder that sometimes the only reasonable response to professional chaos is a little mischievous satirical joy. 🎶Complaints and compliments to [email protected] If you don't receive an appropriate response, please write to [email protected]

We explore honest thoughts and potential implications of changing the Physician Associate title to Physician Assistant.We would love to be able to explain how this will improve patient safety and lessen "confusion" around the role, but there really isn't any evidence to support that.Our guest, Nana, demonstrates excellent clarity of thought. Despite that, we still wonder how on earth rebranding regulated, masters qualified clinicians as "assistants" makes any sense at all. Enjoy.Listen with discretion.Insta: seventynine.podAlso find us on Linkedin - Seventy Nine Percent PodcastEmail: [email protected]

An honest and insightful conversation with newly qualified PA Ambrose. In this episode we explore the realities of training as a Physician Associate - balancing the demands of studying and clinical placement with the constant uncertainty of whether you'll be welcomed by the medical team, or met with hostility.If you knew then what you know now, would you do it again? Listen with discretion. Email: [email protected]: seventynine.pod

Minisode 1 : NastyThere's something for everyone in here.

This episode explores The Cost. The cost paid by newly qualified Physician Associates who worked tirelessly through two years of postgraduate training, took on significant debt, and trusted in a career path they believed would welcome their contribution. Today, whilst resident doctors continue to demand more money, many competent and safe PA grads face uncertainty and unemployment. This is part one. True at time of recording. Listen with discretion. Insta: seventynine.podEmail: [email protected]

In epsiode 4 we are joined by two excellent Physician Associates for a candid and thought-provoking discussion about the realities of working as a PA in today's increasingly toxic climate. Together, we explore the personal and professional impact of the hostility directed towards our profession, and examine the way many anti-PA campaigners have approached what is often described as a "debate" about the role. **As always we advise discretion when listening. This episode mentions mental health problems and suicide.** True at time of recording. Insta: seventynine.pod Email: [email protected]