Non-Medical Prescribing Guidance for Prescribers In General Practice

We are in a time of great change in general practice with practices merging, evolution of federations, locality working and the emerging accountable care systems. The list based system of general practice remains a cornerstone of the NHS and is the main reason that the NHS is judged internationally to have one of the most cost-effective healthcare systems in the world. But this is no longer enough, the NHS is facing both a financial and workload crisis. The future will mean that we need an out of hospital model delivered at scale that is supportive of and embedded in general practice.

General Practice has worked closely with clinicians such as practice and community nurses in the past and the ability to allow nurses to prescribe has been a welcomed positive step and has proven to be safe, effective and appreciate use of time, knowledge and skills. Over the last 5-10 years increasingly there are other healthcare professionals joining the primary care team such as Specialist Nurses, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Paramedics, MSK Practitioners and Mental Health workers. To add value to the primary care team and provision of care to patients, these individuals have developed their skills and knowledge to have a deeper understanding of disease processes, making a diagnosis and managing a variety of conditions that fall within their scope of practice and competencies. Prescribing is an integral part including prescribing the appropriate medication.

I hope you will find this document useful in supporting Non-Medical Prescribers employed in general practice to provide evidence of their competencies through reflection and continuous professional development:

Guidance Document For Non-Medical Prescribers Employed in Primary Care - Updated Oct 2018 

Independant Prescribing and Paramedics: FAQs.