Physician Associates

Bedford Hospital

Trainee Physician Associates

Each year, the Bedford Hospital NHS Trust welcomes a new group of Year 1 Trainee Physician Associates (tPA) for their 12-week clinical placement which starts in April. The trainees are students from the University of Hertfordshire (UH) and their hospital placement forms part of their two-year clinically focused MSc Physician Associate Studies course. During their time at the Trust, the trainees rotate through various medical and surgical specialties where they are exposed to a wide range of clinical cases where they develop/improve their clinical skills, hone knowledge base, learn how to formulate managing plans and gain experience in working as part of multi-disciplinary teams.

Year 1 Placements

Following a comprehensive induction, the tPA commence their Year 1 rotations in the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E); Acute Admission Unit (AAU) General Medicine and General Surgery, spending three weeks in each specialty area. The tPA are required complete Case-based studies; Mini-Clinical Exercises and Directly Observation of Procedural/Practical Skills for both Years 1 and 2.

On completion of their Year 1 placement in July, the trainees return to their University to continue their studies until we welcome them back for their Year 2 placement, which starts in October.

Year 2 Placements

In the second year, the tPA rotate in the more specialised areas to gain specialist knowledge on various specialties, spending weeks in each specialty – Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Stroke, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Elderly Medicine, Cardiology and Paediatrics.

Whilst on placement, the trainees are required to maintain a portfolio of evidence and to complete a reflective log as they gain experience. Under supervision, the Trainees hone in on performing clinical procedures, history taking, performing clinical examinations, analysing investigations, developing clinical skills and begin to learn to formulate differential diagnoses and discussing with the senior Doctor in the department.

They also benefit from weekly Grand rounds and weekly teaching sessions delivered by our Senior Doctors and qualified Senior Physician Associates who work within the hospital. The teaching covers a range of topics and helps the trainees to prepare for their National Examination which includes a knowledge-based assessment and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Each TPA is allocated a Physician Associate as a mentor and an Educational Supervisor (Consultant) who provides support, guidance and supervision throughout their placement.

By the end of the hospital placement, they tPA complete a minimum of: 4 Case-based studies; 8 Mini-Clinical Exercises and 10 Directly Observation of Procedural/Practical Skills.

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital

Physician Associates

Physician Associates (PAs) have been employed at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital since 2020. Currently, there are 6 employed PAs working as a part of the Unscheduled Care Team within the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) department. Our PAs play a pivotal role in supporting the smooth and efficient functioning of a busy SDEC unit. Working alongside a team of 9 junior doctors, the 6 PAs provide vital cover from 08:30 to 23:30, seven days a week, ensuring continuity and high-quality care for patients requiring urgent attention. PAs contribute to the delivery of safe, effective, and compassionate care, utilising their clinical skills to assess, diagnose, and manage a variety of acute conditions under the guidance of senior medical staff. Their involvement not only enhances the team’s capacity to manage patient flow but also fosters a collaborative environment where learning and development thrive. The consistent presence of PAs offers stability to the team, allows for the delegation of appropriate tasks, and provides a reliable source of clinical support for junior doctors, nursing staff, and the multidisciplinary team. Their commitment and knowledge base significantly contribute to reducing waiting times, improving patient outcomes, and maintaining the unit’s responsiveness to the community’s emergency care needs.

Trainee Physician Associates

Each year Luton and Dunstable University Hospital welcomes a new group of Year 1 Trainee Physician Associates (TPA) for their 12-week clinical placement which starts in April. The trainees are students at the University of Hertfordshire (UH) and their hospital placement forms part of their two-year clinically focused MSc Physician Associate Studies course. During their time at the Trust, the trainees rotate through various specialties where there are a range of opportunities to develop skills, grow in confidence and gain experience in a variety of clinical areas.

Year 1 and Year 2 Placements

Following a comprehensive induction, the TPAs commence their Year 1 rotations through the Emergency Assessment Unit (EAU), General Medicine Ward, General Surgery and Emergency Medicine departments, spending four weeks in each specialty area. On completion of their Year 1 placement in July, the trainees return to University to continue their studies until we welcome them back for their Year 2 placement which starts in October. The second year rotations provide further opportunities for learning and skills development and the trainees spend three weeks in each of the following timetabled areas: Acute Medicine, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Elderly Medicine, Cardiology, Stroke, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Emergency Medicine.

They also benefit from weekly teaching sessions delivered by our Registrars and qualified Senior Physician Associates who work within the hospital. The teaching covers a range of topics and helps the trainees to prepare for their National Examination which includes a knowledge-based assessment and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Each TPA is allocated an Educational Supervisor who provides support, guidance and supervision throughout their placement.