Richard Marks - London Anaesthetist
@LondonAnaesth
Anaesthetist in London. Co-founder of Anaesthetists United.
Superb from @DrLKVaughan on medical diagnosis & why this new, PA-written scope document simply fails to grasp the breadth & depth of knowledge & skills needed to be a safe diagnostician. Incidentally, it also showcases why Louella would make such a superb RCP VP. #VoteLouella
The issue of Scope is a vexed one. Here are a few thoughts on why the UMAPs scope is so problematic. 🧵 umaps.org.uk/base-scope-of-… 1/
It is often repetitive, irrelevant to the work that staff do and has little or no impact on the quality of care that patients receive. By April 2026, we will have completely reformed mandatory training. hsj.co.uk/workforce/irre…
Taskification and substitution in the NHS - a hypothetical case of how splitting up pt care into "tasks" misses the diagnosis & costs more: A recently married 45 yr old Pt develops bloody diarrhoea over 4 weeks. "The protocol" says they need a blood test, stool MCS & FIT test 1/
Delighted to see Tom Dolphin elected as Chair of BMA council - another anaesthetist - and wishing him all the best in taking on this role, at such a difficult time for the profession.
Tonight, @thomasdolphin has been elected as the new BMA Chair of Council. We offer him our congratulations and a warm welcome to the role. Thank you to @DrPhilBanfield for his dedication to our members and the medical profession over the past three years. bma.org.uk/bma-media-cent…
Resident doctors should not be instructed to sign-off potentially unsafe prescriptions. Today, @DrPhilBanfield has written to Mark Hackett, Interim Chief Executive @UHP_NHS, to raise serious concerns about unsafe working arrangements at the trust. Read our letter in full 👇
I am speaking at the @Assoc_Anaes Resident Doctors Conference at Wembley about the @AnaesUnited judicial review. Look forward to seeing you there. anaesthetists.org/Home/Education…
Britain’s newest way of demoralising doctors. A lottery decides whether you end up in the capital of England or in Northern Ireland, which risks eroding incentives to study hard and could undermine trust in medical-school rankings. economist.com/britain/2025/0…
SipTilSend is safe. @scarlettmcnally shares the benefits at #Anaesthesia2025 For the 2 hours before surgery adults can have 170ml of clear fluid per hour before GA, regional block or sedation. Find out more: ow.ly/ylyU50VWc2w @CPOC_News
The GMC admitting that it makes key decisions based on what "the DH expects them to do" enriches the meaning of the phrase "independent regulator"
We were even more shocked by Prof Melville's statement on how the GMC reached the decision not to set scope -- no identifiable decision, decision-maker nor review #AUvsGMC
Words really matter. So its strange that the minutes and the video transcript of this College meeting appear to be different. Did the @RCPhysicians agree the exact wording that was used in the minutes with the GMC before they were published?
Did Mr Massey tell the RCP that the GMC would "accept" College scope for PAs, or "utilise" it? A commitment to “utilise” rather than “adopt” would mean GMC having regard to, but not consider itself bound to or committed to enforce, such guidance – a hopelessly ambiguous state of…
Why have the Specialist Societies failed to make donations to the legal case being brought by AU? Do their members want them to?
LEGAL UPDATE - The GMC has attempted to blindfold the court to important new evidence, and prevent us from responding to its lead witness. And it has failed. anaesthetistsunited.com/legal-update-p…
President of the Medical Women's Federation has it exactly right. The NHS needs a cohort of "Doctors Assistants" doing the work of clinical scribe - thus improving doctor's efficiency.
At the March 2025 council meeting, the Medical Women’s Federation agreed to support our legal case against the GMC over performance standards for PAs and AAs. They support it because of the impact on their own members, and on patient safety. medicalwomensfederation.org.uk/news/mwf-suppo…
Sorry isn't enough. The Oriel/NHSE recruitment debacle is a repeat failure under Dr Navina Evans, NHS England's Chief Workforce, Training & Education Officer (@NHSE_WTE). How many more aspiring doctors must face this chaos? Leadership has failed. Resignation is overdue.
Doctors received offers for Radiology training posts at around 3-4pm. They were able to accept these offers on Oriel and received confirmation of acceptance. Offers then began to disappear on Oriel. At 6:30pm they received this email. Simply unacceptable.
Doctors received offers for Radiology training posts at around 3-4pm. They were able to accept these offers on Oriel and received confirmation of acceptance. Offers then began to disappear on Oriel. At 6:30pm they received this email. Simply unacceptable.
GP's being threatened with legal claims by PA group because they adhere to Medical Royal College guidance. Just let that sink in. Especially if your own surgery was on the verge of recruiting a PA. pulsetoday.co.uk/news/regulatio…
I missed this yesterday, but it’s significant: @RCPhysicians Council has called for PAs to be renamed physician assistants, not associates. I think this will require an amendment to the AA & PA Order 2024; what other changes are required? #RCPTimeForChange
To help raise awareness of our case amongst the many doctors who are unaware we have produced some print-at-home posters (and some badges and tshirts). Please help spread the word. anaesthetistsunited.com/spread-awarene…
Hiring of Physician Associates has been paused by HSE in Ireland. A spokeswoman confirmed recruitment for the role has since been paused "pending a review" irishtimes.com/health/2025/03…
