Non-Medical Prescribing

Our support to you

Professionals with a prescribing qualification can access resources via this page to continually update their knowledge and maintain professional integrity as independent prescribers. We offer dedicated support and a range of targeted updates to assist you in your practice.

Those who are seeking to qualify for a prescribing qualification can receive support from the training hub when funds are available. Our team will help guide you through the application process.

Successful applicants will enrol with the University of Northampton on a 40-credit Non-Medical Prescribing course for autonomous GPNs and AHPs. This course enables participants to demonstrate safe prescribing practices within their scope of practice. Successful completion qualifies them to register as Independent Prescribers with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

If you're a pharmacist looking to become an independent prescriber on completion of the CPPE PCPEP pathway, here are some steps to take:

• Contact Your Educational Supervisor: They can provide details about funded courses and guide you through the process.
• Stay Updated on Funding Rounds: Since funding negotiations between NHSE and universities can be uncertain, it's important to keep in touch with your educational supervisor for the latest updates.
• Reach Out for More Advice: If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to contact us for more personalised guidance.

Ethical considerations for prescribers

Non-medical prescribers play a crucial role in improving patient safety and enhancing the experience of NHS Primary Care Services. Prescribing involves balancing treatment benefits with ethical principles such as respecting patient choice, ensuring beneficence, avoiding harm, and maintaining safe practices. Prescribers should reflect on the ethical implications of their decisions, especially when optimising medications. Continuous professional development is essential for ensuring safe prescribing practices. Below are journal articles to help prescribers consider and reflect on the ethical aspects of their prescribing practice.

Legal aspects of non-medical prescribing

Maintaining high standards of continuing professional development is fundamental to safe prescribing. Prescribers must take personal responsibility and accountability for their prescribing decisions, understand the legal and ethical implications, and operate within relevant legal and regulatory frameworks. As prescribing is annotated against the individual's professional registration, both the law and professional bodies mandate that registrants provide safe, knowledgeable, and competent care to patients, who in turn expect appropriate advice to make informed decisions about their treatment.

Reflective practice helps ensure a continuous cycle of critical thinking and learning from prescribing events. There is a useful tool called 'PIECES' to analyse and reflect on prescribing decisions.