Nurses to be allowed to prescribe powerful drugs
Nurses are to be allowed to prescribe powerful drugs, it was confirmed today.
Following a study into the administration of medicines, Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney revealed midwives and other senior nursing staff could be given the same responsibilities as many doctors.
“This move is in the interest of patients and I want to ensure that this happens in a way that makes the best use of the professionals working in the system,” she said.
“I support prescriptive authority for nurses in situations where it would mean greater accessibility and convenience for patients, where it would help community services and acute services and where it is safe.”
The Review of Nurses and Midwives in the Prescribing and Administration of Medicinal Products recommended a change in law to give nurses prescribing rights.
It stated that there should be an explicit legislative base for the expansion of the use of medication protocols by nurses and midwives in hospital and community settings.
In the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand nurses and midwives already have rights similar to those being proposed here and the Tánaiste suggested these countries could be used as the model for Ireland.
The minister said she would now take steps to bring amendments to the Irish Medicines Board Bill.
And along with the law change the Tanaiste said her Department would be conducting a consultation with all concerned parties on the implementation of the rule before regulations are drawn up.
“We need collaboration between all care givers if we are to make the health system work better and we need to recognise that working across boundaries is an essential part of that collaboration,” she said.
“We have invested heavily in nursing education and training in recent years and it is important that we harness that talent effectively.”
