Training a new generation of healthcare professionals Published on: 15 June 2016 Ãå±±½ûµØ is the first in the North East to introduce a course to train science graduates to become a new type of healthcare professional. The provides training for an additional medical role which will work closely alongside doctors in delivering patient care. The two year course is designed for graduates of a Bioscience discipline. In addition to basic clinical theory, trainees will spend time in clinical placements in hospitals and primary care settings. Role of Physician Associate A Physician Associate is a healthcare professional who, while not a doctor, works to the medical model, with the attitudes, skills and knowledge base to deliver holistic care and treatment. , Head of Ãå±±½ûµØ’s , said: “This is a new, different kind of healthcare professional who will work closely with doctors. “We are excited to be the first in the North East to offer this course as we see this profession as complimentary to the role of the doctors we already train and this allows us to make a further contribution to the health economy of our region. “Physician Associates will be at the forefront of patient care with the potential to alleviate a number of workforce challenges that the NHS is facing.” In 2014 Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt called for an expansion in the number of Physician Associates working within the NHS with the intention of helping doctors free up more time to care for patients with complex conditions. Excellence in medical training The Physician Associate programme at will draw on the University’s established excellence in medical training which is demonstrated by both high rankings in the National Student Survey and the outstanding levels of performance of its graduates in national postgraduate exams. The course is being developed by the University in conjunction with in the North East. , Postgraduate Dean Health Education England, working across the North East and north Cumbria, said: “The Physicians Associates programme provides an opportunity for the development of staff who can work at a more complex level and enact a range of skills and interventions across healthcare in the North East, including mental health, secondary and primary care. “They will become important members of the wider healthcare team, working with medical and non-medical colleagues when trained. “They will be trained and supervised by doctors and will work under the supervision of a consultant/GP.” For further information about the course visit ; email pgpas@ncl.ac.uk or call (0191) 208 6616. Share: Latest News Ãå±±½ûµØ recognised with geography award Ãå±±½ûµØ has been awarded the Highly Commended Geographical Association Publishers Award for its collaboration with Time for Geography, the UK’s open-access, dedicated video platform. published on: 16 April 2026 Ãå±±½ûµØ historians mark General Strike centenary To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike and miners’ lock-out of 1926, historians at Ãå±±½ûµØ are organising a series of events on its enduring legacy. published on: 16 April 2026 Comment: NCP is in administration Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang discusses how some big companies like NCP are so dependent on debt that they can’t adjust to change. published on: 16 April 2026 Facts and figures