Medicines management programme for non-medical prescribers

The National Prescribing Centre has developed a single competency framework for all prescribers, including medical and dental prescribers. The framework demonstrates the need for keeping up to date with the knowledge and skills associated with medicines management and prescribing. The reorganisation of NHS community services in north west London led to the creation of an integrated care organisation, offering the opportunity to review the medicines management support provided to non-medical prescribers (NMPs) in the community and to develop a continuing professional development programme for community NMP staff. This article describes the design, delivery and evaluation of the programme, which is delivered by a team of pharmacists in collaboration with senior nurses.