In July, the Leng Review recommended sweeping changes to physician associates' job roles, including barring them from treating undiagnosed patients. The recommendations were immediately accepted by NHS England.

A survey by United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs), the trade union for physician associates, shows nearly all PAs say the Leng Review has had a detrimental effect on their mental health, with several associates reporting that they have considered suicide.

The survey, which polled 695 physician associates - roughly a fifth of PAs working in the NHS, reveals:

• 95% of respondents said the Leng Review had negatively affected their mental health
• 26% of PAs said they have felt they would be ‘better off dead', with 7% saying they feel this way every day
• 86% showed some degree of depression, 21% qualified as ‘severe' meaning they would likely meet the criteria for referral to specialist mental health services
• Several PAs say they have considered or attempted suicide.

Many survey respondents said they had felt victimised by doctors and the BMA, both before and after the Leng Review was published. 

UMAPs general secretary Stephen Nash said: ‘These heartbreaking responses should be a wake-up call for NHS England, Wes Streeting and Professor Gillian Leng.

'The Leng Review has left Medical Associate Professionals with a complete lack of certainty about their futures and opened them up to even greater victimisation.

‘By publishing this data and filing our judicial review, we are taking a stand against the bullying of PAs by the medical establishment.'