Introduction
Changes relating to independent prescribing of controlled drugs in the UK came into force on 23 April 2012 [Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No. 2) (England, Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2012 (Statutory Instrument 2012/973)] |
Previous restrictions were removed, allowing independent nurse prescribers to: |
Prescribe any controlled drug listed in schedules 2–5 for any medical condition within their competence, with the exception of diamorphine, cocaine and dipipanone for the treatment of addiction |
Requisition schedule 2–5 controlled drugs and to possess, supply, offer to supply and administer them |
Mix any drugs listed in schedules 2–5 before administration |
These rights also apply to pharmacist independent prescribers |
Persons acting in accordance with the directions of a nurse or pharmacist independent prescriber are authorised to administer schedule 2–5 drugs |
Nurses must complete a Nurse and Midwifery Council-accredited prescribing course through an Approved Education Institution (AEI; a UK university) that: |
Includes a minimum of 26 days of teaching |
For distance-learning programmes, there must be a minimum of eight face-to-face taught days |
Includes 12 days of supervised learning in practice |
Is provided at a minimum of first degree level (academic level 3) |
AEIs may offer the course at Masters level |
Is completed within one academic year |
To be eligible to undertake an accredited nurse prescribing course, nurses must: |
Be a registered first-level nurse, midwife and/or specialist community public health nurse |
Have at least 3 years’ experience as a practising nurse, midwife or specialist community public health nurse |
The year immediately preceding the programme must have been in the clinical field in which they intend to prescribe |
Be deemed competent by their employer to undertake the programme |
The employer is responsible for confirming that each nurse is competent in history-taking, clinical assessment and diagnosing, and possesses appropriate numeracy skills |
The employer must provide written confirmation of their support for each nurse to undertake the course |
Provide evidence via the Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning process of their ability to study at degree level |
Obtain written confirmation from the course lead about their acceptance on the course |
Obtain written confirmation from a designated medical practitioner who meets eligibility criteria for medical supervision of nurse prescribers and who has agreed to provide supervised practice |
Introduction to ADHD
Do UK nurses have the skills required to diagnose ADHD?
General principles of diagnosing ADHD
Independent diagnosis by UK nurses: lessons from other therapy areas
Independent diagnosing of ADHD by nurses
Is independent prescribing by UK nurses safe and appropriate?
Safe and clinically appropriate prescribing
Prescriber confidence
Attitudes among medical colleagues
Treating and managing patients with ADHD in the UK
ADHD treatments
Managing patients with ADHD
The role of nurse-led services in managing patients with ADHD in the UK
Independent prescribing: timely access to treatment |
Nurses can initiate new treatment or modify the dose/formulation of medication instantly without the need to refer to a clinician |
Patient care can be improved by allowing rapid balancing of symptom control and side effects |
Continuity of care |
Nurses can deliver a complete, multimodal care package |
Nurses can regularly interact with individuals involved in patient care (e.g. parents, schools and the criminal justice system) in clinical and non-clinical settings |
Nurses can get to know patients and their families over an extended period of time, facilitating individualised treatment strategies |
Longer and more frequent appointments |
Nurses can provide increased consultation time, facilitating greater patient understanding of treatment regimens; this is linked to improved adherence to treatment |
Named nurse contact details |
Patients, parents, schools and other relevant parties can obtain rapid guidance on the treatment of individual patients |
Patient and parent support |
Nurses can run support groups and drop-in clinics for patients and/or parents |
Nurse–patient relationship |
Patients and parents may feel less intimidated by nurses than by clinicians, thus facilitating open and honest discussion of their symptoms/behaviours and treatment adherence |