Legal issues arising in community nursing 5: nurse prescribing

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Nursing Practice
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Nurse prescribing in community settings was established by the Medicinal Products (Prescription by Nurses etc) Act 1992, following the 1989 Crown report.
• Prescribing by nurses using group protocols has occurred without clear legal standing in hospitals and primary care.
• A 1999 report reviewed group protocols for medicine prescribing, supply, and administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the implications of proposed changes to prescribing regulations.
• To assess the potential impact of expanded prescribing powers on community nursing.

Main Methods:

• Review of government reports and press releases regarding prescribing reforms.
• Analysis of legislative changes and their historical context.
• Examination of the Crown proposals and their anticipated effects.

Main Results:

• Major revisions to prescribing regulations are recommended, extending prescribing authority to additional professional groups under specific conditions.
• Government plans to implement the Crown proposals by July 2000.
• The study focuses on the impact of these reforms on community nursing.

Conclusions:

• The proposed changes signify a significant shift in prescribing practices within the National Health Service.
• Community nursing services are expected to be substantially affected by the extended prescribing powers.
• The implementation of these proposals aims to broaden access to medication management by various healthcare professionals.