‘I’m not a doctor’: the role physician associates play within NHS

Plans to increase their number in England to plug workforce gaps have been criticised – but their work is valued by hospital colleagues

Sammy Chan is very proud to be a physician associate, despite the controversies. “I find it particularly rewarding because I get to build relationships with patients,” she said.

Chan works in respiratory medicine, mainly in outpatients. As well as more routine monitoring of patients and booking scans, she has been trained to perform chest drains and to insert pleural catheters. “While it’s quite emotionally challenging, it’s nice to be a constant presence on their journey,” she said.