[rjm]

No, they are not training them to become a doctor in everything but name at all. They will essentially have the same role as emergency nurse practitioners (although maybe not the experience) - they are able to take histories, exam patients, perform basic investigations (ECG, Bloods, blood gases, order xrays), do some practical things eg catheterise), and use this to make a diagnosis under medical guidance. They can also initiate basic treatment such as analgesia, nebulisers etc. ENPs that I have experience of working with work very closely with the senior junior doctor and are directed to suitable patients to "clerk" by them ie, they tend to be the more straightforward patients.

I have similar concerns with this as junior doctors assistants. As much as I love JDAs in the middle of the night when I am really busy and dont have time to bleed Mr X for his INR and catheterise Mrs Y, there is the potential risk of deskilling the junior docs as the JDAs are being trained in more and more practical procedures including things like chest drains, LPs, ascitic taps. The concern is that when they fail at the difficult procedures, who will they turn to. It certainly wont be the doctors who wont have had the experience in doing the straight forward ones because the JDAs have done them all.