Non-Medical Prescribing

Non-Medical Prescribing is the prescribing of medicines, dressings and appliances by health professionals who are not doctors.

1. Independent Non-Medical Prescribing

Independent Prescribers are practitioners responsible and accountable for the assessment of patients with previously undiagnosed or diagnosed conditions and for decisions about the clinical management required, including prescribing

Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Optometrists, Therapeutic Radiographers, Podiatrists, and Paramedics can train as Independent Prescribers.

 

2. Supplementary Prescribing

This is a voluntary partnership between an independent prescriber who must be a doctor or a dentist and a supplementary prescriber, to implement an agreed patient specific clinical management plan with the patients’ agreement.

Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Optometrists, Radiographers (Diagnostic and Therapeutic), Podiatrists, Dieticians and Paramedics can train as Supplementary Prescribers.

 

3. Nurse Prescribers Formulary for Community Practitioners

Formerly known as District Nurse and Health Visitor prescribing.  This is a limited formulary, known at the Nurse Prescribers Formulary (NPF), for community practitioners to independently prescribe from.

Practice Nurses, District Nurses, Public Health Nurses, Health Visitors, Community Psychiatric Nurses, School Nurses, Community Learning Disability Nurses can train to prescribe from the Nurse Prescribers Formulary for Community Practitioners.

 

 

What are the benefits of Non-Medical Prescribing?

For the patients

Patients will have a greater opportunity of quickly accessing the right medicines they require at the right time, from the right person. This will result in an avoidance of a delay in receiving medicines, a reduction in the amount of unnecessary appointments with various health professionals, reduced risk of hospitalisation and faster recovery. Patients will also have more choice in who they choose to see regarding their healthcare.

For the organisation

Better use of the workforce, financial savings in terms of less appointments required, less inpatient costs and potentially faster recovery. More efficient delivery of service for both patients and professionals. Profile of organisation elevated.

For the practitioner

Raised professional self-esteem in being able to complete a whole package of care for selected patients. Motivated staff who are ideally placed to be innovative in their approach to service delivery.

Who can be a Non-Medical Prescriber?

  • Nurses (NHS, non-NHS, mental health, community, secondary care, self-employed, military, charity, cosmetic etc)
  • Optometrists (NHS, non-NHS, self-employed, private organisation etc)
  • Pharmacists (NHS, non-NHS, self-employed, multiple organisation etc)
  • Physiotherapists (NHS, non-NHS, self-employed, private organisation, sport etc)
  • Podiatrists (NHS, non-NHS, self-employed, private practice etc)
  • Therapeutic and Diagnostic Radiographers (NHS, non-NHS, private practice etc)
  • Dieticians (NHS, non-NHS, private practice, secondary care etc)
  • Paramedics (Advanced Practitioners working within NHS, General Practice, Acute Care etc)

You are welcome to ask me a question in relation to Non-Medical Prescribing.

Delivering excellence in non-medical prescribing training

If you would like more details about any specific sessions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

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