Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 24 April 2024 at 04:19
In recent years, the NHS has allowed a wider range of allied health professions (AHPs) to prescribe or supply and administer medicines to patients.
This is because for many patients an AHP is their lead clinician, yet they often do not have access to the appropriate prescribing or supply and administration of medicines mechanisms.
Introducing these changes makes it easier for patients to get access to the medicines that they need in a timely manner so they gain maximum benefit.
The NHS is now consulting on proposals to enable paramedics, working at an advanced level and who have undergone the appropriate training, to be able to become independent prescribers of medicines across the UK.
The proposed changes will enable the development of new roles and new ways of working which will better utilise the skills of paramedics and therefore support the delivery of safe, effective services that are focused on the patient experience whilst also being cost effective.
NHS England is currently consulting on proposals to allow four allied health professions to be able to prescribe or supply and administer medicines, as appropriate for their patients. These are:
The proposals for would require changes to be made to medicines legislation.
The consultation is now open, and you can have your say by completing the 53-question survey online via the NHS England consultation website before 22nd May.
Published 8th March 2015