Public Health and Prescriptions
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to increase levels of (a) prescribing rights and (b) public health advisory services for qualified (i) pharmacists, (ii) nurse practitioners and (iii) paramedics.
Answered by Karin Smyth
The Department remains committed to exploring the extension of medicine responsibilities for non-medical professionals, where it is safe and appropriate to do so. Paramedics, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists can all train as independent prescribers, allowing them to prescribe a wide range of medicines, including some controlled drugs, within their professional scope of practice.
All health and care professionals play an important role in delivering evidence based public health interventions. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has already developed resources and tools under a programme called All Our Health, which supports professionals to increase their focus on public health interventions. The 10-Year Health Plan will set out further actions which will support the shift from treatment to prevention.
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