Independent/Supplementary Prescribing

District nurses and health visitors have been able to prescribe from a limited formulary since 1998. In 1999, an advisory group, chaired by Dr June Crown, reviewed the prescribing, supply and administration of medicines and recommended that prescribing responsibilities be extended to other health-care professionals.

The legal framework for this was included in the Health and Social Care Act 2001. In October 2003 secondary legislation was passed naming nurses and pharmacists as the first group. Legislative changes in 2005 have enabled supplementary prescribing by radiographers, physiotherapists, podiatrists and optometrists. From May 2006 amendments to regulations have enabled nurses and pharmacists to qualify as independent prescribers.

The aim of this programme is to prepare health-care professionals to practice as independent/supplementary prescribers, while meeting the standards set by the professional/regulatory bodies as required by the legislative framework.

The prescribing programme is offered at level 3 for nurses only in addition to the master's level programme.

Nurses wishing to study at level 3 will need to demonstrate evidence they have successfully worked at level 2 previously, all other entry requirements of the course remain the same.

Content

• Non-Medical Prescribing in Context (15 credits)
• Safe and Effective Prescribing (15 credits)
• Consultation and Decision Making (15 credits)
• Putting Prescribing into Practice (15 credits)