Our Partners
SESPA is a collaborative project across the region with many partners, including several universities and local NHS trusts.
For information on our partners, click on the links below.

The Faculty of Physician Associates provides professional support to qualified and student Physician Associates across the UK.

Canterbury Christ Church University accommodates 20,000 students at four campuses in Kent. The university offers a two-year MSc in Physician Associate Studies from its Medway campus.

Alliance for Better Care CIC is a GP federation that unites 47 GP practices across 12 Primary Care Networks in Surrey and Sussex.

The University of Surrey is a public research university located within the county town of Guildford, Surrey. The university offers a Physician Associate Post Graduate Diploma which is a two-year, full-time course.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides emergency and non-emergency services from East Surrey Hospital in Redhill to the residents of East Surrey and the surrounding areas. The KSS Hub of the SE School of PAs office is also located at East Surrey Hospital.

The University of Reading is a global university that has a strong reputation for teaching, research and enterprise. The University was established in 1892 and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It offers 2 training courses to become a Physician Associate; a 2 year MSc course and a 4 year undergraduate programme.
Buckinghamshire New University has campuses in High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Uxbridge and offers a 2 year MSc Physician Associate Studies programme.

The University of Portsmouth is a modern higher education and research institution. It provides the 2 year MSc in Physician Associate Studies course.

In July 2019, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), with the support of the four UK governments, asked the GMC to regulate two groups of medical associate professions (MAPs) – physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs). The GMC reguarly attend SESPA steering groups to provide PA updates and support our work.

NHS England provides national leadership for the NHS. Through the NHS Long Term Plan, they promote high quality health and care for all, and support NHS organisations to work in partnership to deliver better outcomes for our patients and communities, at the best possible value for taxpayers and to continuously improve the NHS. SESPA is a NHSE iniative and we work closely together to support the PA profession.


Brighton and Sussex Medical School is a medical school formed from the partnership between University of Brighton and the University of Sussex. BSMS runs a two-year MSc in Physician Associate Studies.