BRONGLAIS Hospital is leading the way in Wales after becoming the first to provide a specialist training programme for staff trained to support GPs in patient diagnosis and management.

The training programme for physician associates is being offered in association with Birmingham University and aims to provide staff to help with the workload of doctors both at Bronglais Hospital and in GP surgeries in Ceredigion.

The role will see the physician associates trained to assist by performing a number of roles including taking medical histories, performing examinations, analysing test results and diagnosing illnesses under the supervision of a doctor.

The health board is currently arranging placements at Bronglais and in GP surgeries for students after they qualify. The board hopes the new roles will help improve the way services are provided.

Dr Sue Fish, the clinical programme director for the Mid Wales Healthcare Collaborative which supported the push for training for physician associates, said: “I am pleased that through the work of the Mid Wales Healthcare Collaborative we have been able to lead the way in Wales in providing new training opportunities for physician associate students."

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