The Physician Associate (originally called Physician Assistant but given a posher title by the politicians early on) is the medical equivalent of the PCSO in the police force, i.e. a cheaper body in place of someone fully qualified and able to do the job. Trouble is whereas the PCSO is merely a hopeless jobsworth who is often the object of humour and derision and justifiably so, when the PA fucks up it is no laughing matter and sometimes their mistake is literally deadly. The link to such an event is just one from a whole list of such now available on Google with only the most rudimentary search.
Regular readers will know our elder is a hospital doctor. Her advice is simple and straight forward; if you go to A&E be accompanied and ask the medic allocated to you; “Are you a Doctor?” The only acceptable answer is YES.
Nominated by: arfurbrain