The College is fully committed to supporting current student and qualified AAs who provide a valuable contribution to the anaesthetic team and to patient care. 

In February 2024 we requested that clinical leaders pause recruitment of new student AAs while we undertake further research on the impact of the AA role. We also requested a pause in development of extended roles for AAs until regulation is in place and a scope of practice beyond qualification has been developed. 

These requests were made in response to concerns about patient safety expressed by members through an Extraordinary General Meeting held in October 2023.  

Pause in recruitment of new student AAs

The pause applies to the recruitment of new, student AAs who have not yet been appointed. It does not apply to student AAs who, at the time of the request to clinical leaders, were enrolled on courses or already training, or to qualified AAs. Hospitals can still recruit to vacant posts for qualified AAs, continue to train existing student AAs and recruit student AAs into substantive posts once they qualify. 

We expect the pause in recruitment of new student AAs to remain in place until the Leng review has been completed and the RCoA has had the opportunity to review the report and recommendations. GMC regulation took effect from 13 December 2024 and provides statutory safeguards for patients by applying rules around training, registration, governance and fitness to practise for all AAs in the UK.  

Pause in development of enhanced roles for AAs

All departments who train and employ AAs in the UK should implement the Interim 2024 AA Scope of Practice, which sets out clearly defined phases of practice from qualification onwards, including the levels of supervision required.  

We recognise that some trusts and health boards have developed extended roles for AAs and local governance as a means of providing services to patients in response to the increasing demand for anaesthetic services. We also recognise that any change or limit put on extended roles in the 2024 scope of practice could have impact on the delivery of services in some areas and on the availability of those services to patients who need them. To manage and minimise this impact, we have allowed for a graduated transition to the 2024 Scope of Practice. 

Clinical leads should also ensure that continuing such roles does not impact on the ability of anaesthetists to access the training opportunities required to develop the anaesthetic workforce of the future. This will be kept under review by the Regional Adviser (Anaesthesia) network in association with the local Heads of School. 

Training existing student AAs

Current student AAs can be trained to meet all the competencies and learning outcomes in the draft AA curriculum noting that there may be changes and updates once it has been submitted for, and received, GMC approval. 

Of note, infrainguinal fascia iliaca block is the only simple peripheral block that AAs will be permitted to perform under the 2024 scope of practice (excluding transition arrangements mentioned above) so trainers may wish to limit practice to this block. 

Please note that all guidance on this page is subject to change and may be updated and refreshed to align with the changing nature of the Medical Associate Professions programme.