A new breed of US-style doctors' assistants who are able to perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses and give advice about medication will help cut waiting times for patients, the government claimed today. 

The new healthcare workers, known as medical care practitioners (MCPs), will have a similar role to junior doctors - and be supervised by senior doctors. But unlike doctors, who spend six years at medical school, they will be treating patients after just two years' training. 

Ministers believe the new health professionals will help relieve the workload of hospital consultants and family doctors, allowing more patients to be treated more quickly. 

Health minister Lord Warner said: "By introducing new roles we are able to offer patients skilled practitioners who are able to manage the care of patients in primary and secondary care - freeing up GPs and hospital doctors to deal with more difficult cases." 

Science graduates, nurses or physiotherapists are expected to be among those likely to retrain as MCPs. 

The Department of Health today published a curriculum framework for MCPs, outlining the standards they will have to meet before they can treat patients. 
MCPs would only be allowed to treat patients after "rigorous additional training" and under the continuous supervision of physicians. 

Tasks they could perform include obtaining full medical histories and performing examinations such as breast checks; diagnosing, managing and treating illnesses within their competence such as depression, gout and eczema; requesting diagnostic tests such as heart monitoring and interpreting the results; and giving patients advice on managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and angina. 
Earlier this year doctors raised concern that patients were being put at risk by a growing number of non-medically qualified staff working in the NHS. But the medical royal colleges welcomed the new framework for providing clarity about the role and responsibilities of MCPs. 

Dr Mary Armitage, clinical vice-president of the Royal College of Physicians, said: "One of the reasons we became involved in the project was because of concerns about the plethora of unregulated healthcare support workers; these roles have evolved across the country with no common standards or training. 
"We hope the new framework will standardise the role, thereby reducing any confusion for patients and any risk to patient safety." 

Dr Nigel Sparrow, vice chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: "The development of the MCP role will provide an opportunity to further enhance the skill mix within the primary care team, allowing GPs to be able to spend more time with patients with multiple complex problems. This will give patients more choice of healthcare professionals."