Non-Medical Prescribers (NMP)

This page has been developed to assist non-medical prescribers and those interested in finding out more about NMP, to access information in one place.

Contents below:

·       Introduction

·       Initial Training

·       What can NMPs prescribe?

·       NMP Competency framework

·       Continuous Professional Development

·       Expanding your scope of practice

·       NMP Professional groups

·       Hertfordshire and West Essex prescribing policies

·       Links to useful information

Introduction

In 2003 the Department of Health issued legislation to enable suitably trained registered Healthcare professionals, to enhance their roles and effectively use their skills and competencies, with the focus of improving patient care in a range of healthcare settings. 

Ref: Prescribing by Non-Medical Healthcare Professionals | Department of Health

The first supplementary nurse prescribers qualified in 2003, with pharmacists following in 2004.  Initially this was a limited formulary (supplementary prescribing).  From May 2006, certain nurse and pharmacist prescribers were able to prescribe any licensed medicine (except most controlled drugs) within their sphere of competence.  Gradually independent prescribing rights have been extended to a range of healthcare professionals. Since changes to legislation in April 2012, a variety of health professionals can prescribe controlled drugs within their range of competence.

Initial training

Eligible practitioners undertake an accredited programme, delivered by a Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).  Post graduate study of around 6 months is required to become a non-medical prescriber. 

For further information see here: Training for non-medical prescribers | NHS England | Workforce, training and education

To request funding for training see here: Training and Development

What can Non-Medical Prescribers Prescribe?

Information about what non-medical prescribers can prescribe is detailed in the BNF. Refer also to the following advice issued by Department of Health.

• Advice issued by the Department of Health is available on website

NMP Competency framework

A generic competency framework has been produced by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.  This can be used by any prescriber at any point in their career, regardless of their professional background.

A Competency Framework for all Prescribers | RPS

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

As a minimum, NMPs are required to undertake an annual update, this can be a formal in-person training event, a virtual webinar or self-directed learning.  It is important that individual non-medical prescribers frequently access their own learning needs and discuss with their clinical supervisor and at their annual appraisal, they should also create an individual learning plan.

Some sources for self-directed learning:  

• NMP Webinars – fortnightly, delivered virtually on Microsoft Teams, for calendar with topics and other NMP information, join the NHS Future Platform; East of England Non-Medical Prescribers - Futures

• SCRIPT Primary Care- An eLearning programme aiming to improve therapeutics knowledge among primary care staff. The programme consists of modules covering a range of therapeutic topics relating to prescribing and medicines safety. Free with an NHS.uk or NHS.net address - SCRIPT | Helping practitioners to manage medicines safely

• Primary Care prescribing modules. Sign-up for free account: https://nhs.gpprescriber.org

• Shared decision making - Shared Decision Making - elearning for healthcare

• eLearning for Health – NHSE elfh Hub search ‘prescribing’ for available modules

• PrescQIPP - Courses are CPD accredited and several also carry a NICE endorsement statement - Home | PrescQIPP

• Safe Medicines in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. The collaboration between BPS Assessment and the MHRA Safer Medicines in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Consortium has resulted in an eLearning resource for healthcare professions - Safe Medicines in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding | BPS Assessment

Expanding your scope of practice

NMPs must prescribe within their scope of practice and competence. However, as NMPs develop they may want to expand their prescribing.  The Royal Pharmaceutical Society have produces guidance for healthcare professionals wanting to expand their “prescribing scope of practice”. 

For guidance document, see here - Professional Guidance: Expanding Prescribing Scope of Practice

NMP Professional groups

•  Nursing and Midwifery Council - Standards for prescribers

• Royal College of Nursing - Non-medical prescribing | Advice guides | Royal College of Nursing

• College of Paramedics - Medicines and Independent Prescribing

• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy - Prescribing

• General Pharmaceutical Council - Pharmacist Independent Prescriber

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) - Prescribing and support assurance framework

Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB Prescribing policies

For clinical and prescribing information including decisions, guidance, pathways and policies for healthcare workers within Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System to support optimal patient care.

See here: Prescribing, Policies and Pathways

LINKS to useful information

• 10 Principles of Good Prescribing - Clinical-Prescribing-Principles.pdf.aspx

• Non-medical prescribing | Medicines guidance | BNF | NICE

• Specialist Pharmacy Service. Training resources in pregnancy - Safety in pregnancy – SPS - Specialist Pharmacy Service – The first stop for professional medicines advice

• Webinar: Decision making and consent: new guidance from the GMC

• HEE - Prescribing Competency Implementation Guidance for Mental Health

• BMJ - Drug and therapeutics bulletin 

• The National Non-Medical Prescribing Bulletin – Join the distribution list by emailing hl.nationalnmp@northumbria.ac.uk

• Non-Medical Prescribers NHS Futures platform.  Sign-up for FREE webinars.  You will need to register with an NHS email address to access the platform - East of England Non-Medical Prescribers - FutureNHS Collaboration Platform

• Sample; Policy for NMP in General Practice - Microsoft Word - Information Governance Policy Framework Stratergy- WL CCG v0 2 28 10 14