'Potential disaster!' Half of NHS trusts using non-doctors as doctors

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Almost half of NHS hospital Trusts are now using non-doctors to fill doctors' roles, new research shows, sparking a major safety warning from the British Medical Association.The doctors' union says patients are being put at risk as under-qualified staff are drafted in to plug rota gaps - describing the approach as "haphazard" and warning it could lead to a "potential disaster".In a new finding, freedom of information requests sent to hospital Trusts and Boards across the UK reveal that almost half are now allowing non-doctors onto doctors' rotas.

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Of those who responded, 41 said "yes" when asked if Advanced Practitioners were being used to plug gaps - compared to 44 who said "no".

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TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Advanced Practitioners - sometimes known as physician associates or specialist clinicians - come from a range of backgrounds, including nursing, paramedics and pharmacy.They can play an important role in patient care when used appropriately.But the BMA says NHS bosses are now...

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