The practice manager is responsible for keeping the PCT up to date of all NMP changes (the PCT will authorise the changes and notify the NHS Prescription Services).
The practice manager must ensure that they:
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Forward a completed notification of amendment form to the PCT
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Order FP10 prescription pads via the KPCA supplies/warehouse on T. 01622 751201 (Please allow three working days for NHS Prescription Services to process the information)
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Update the practice software to add details of the NMP joining the practice
NMP leaving a practice
The practice manager must ensure that:
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Forward a completed notification of amendment form to the PCT
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Collect and destroy all unused FP10 prescription pads
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Update the practice software so that no further prescriptions are issued bearing the details of the NMP who is leaving.
NMP change of surname/other details
The practice manager must ensure that they:
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Forward a completed notification of amendment form to the PCT
-
Collect and destroy all unused FP10 prescription pads
-
Order FP10 prescription pads via the KPCA supplies/warehouse on T. 01622 751201 (Please allow 3 working days for NHS Prescription Services to process the information)
- Update the practice software so that no further prescriptions are issued bearing incorrect details of the NMP
Non Medical Prescribers
There are several different types of non medical prescribers:
Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribers
These are community practitioners who have completed the necessary training and may only prescribe items appearing in the Nurse Prescriber’s Formulary. This can be found at the back of the latest BNF or online.
These prescribers can only prescribe for patients within their immediate care and may not sign prescriptions on behalf of somebody else. Most Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribers are employed by the Community Health Trust and should contact their Pharmacy team for advice:
Community Health Pharmacy Services
Kent Community Health NHS Trust
Eversley House
19 Horn Street
Seabrook
Hythe
Kent CT21 5SB
Tel: 01303 717000
Fax: 01303 717040
Nurse, Pharmacist and Optometrist Independent Prescribers
These are Independent prescribers who are responsible and accountable for the assessment of patients with previously undiagnosed or diagnosed conditions and for decisions about the clinical management required, including prescribing. These prescribers must only prescribe drugs which are within their scope of practice and which they can demonstrate competency within. These prescribers can only prescribe for patients within their immediate care and may not sign prescriptions on behalf of somebody else.
AHP Supplementary Prescribers (mainly podiatrists & physiotherapists although still a few Pharmacist prescribers who haven’t converted to independent)
These are prescribers who can prescribe in partnership with a doctor (or dentist) to an agreed management Plan. They should only prescribe within their competency areas. All Independent prescribers can act as supplementary prescribers.
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Prescribing controlled drugs
Nurse independent prescribers can only prescribe certain Controlled Drugs for specific medical conditions. This list of these drugs and the conditions they can be used in, can be found at the back of the BNF or online.
Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribers & Pharmacist Independent Prescribers cannot currently prescribe any Controlled Drugs including codeine based preparations. Controlled Drugs can be prescribed by prescribers acting as supplementary prescribers as long as the drugs are part of an agreed documented clinical management plan.
The NMP's National Code Number (NCN) is an 8 digit code which is supplied to the NMP when they first qualify to prescribe.
Prescriptions are processed by NHS Prescription Services and ultimately prescribing costs are allocated to the practice budget that the NMP is employed by.
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Scope of practice
NMPs are expected to only prescribe within their competency and asked to complete an initial scope of practice form which identifies which area they expect to be prescribing and evidence of their competency in that area. Changes of scope of practice must be notified to the PCT.
Clinical Governance – The employer of the NMP, through their line manager, is responsible for agreeing areas of prescribing after seeing the evidence that the NMP is competent. NMPs should not be asked to prescribe in areas in which they are not deemed and do not have the evidence to be competent. NMPs cannot sign repeat prescriptions unless they initiated the prescribing and are providing the ongoing care.
NMPs are responsible for the security of all prescriptions and/or prescription pads in their possession.
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BNF
In order to get a BNF or BNF for Children (BNFc), the PCT must provide the nurse's details to a third party data management group which is contracted by the Department of Health, and thus we need their consent to do so. The data management group should only use the details as a checklist to ensure the person is entitled to a BNF.
If you do not currently receive a copy of the BNF/BNFc but would like to, please complete the BNF for non-medical prescribers form.
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Annual review of prescribing and competencies
All non medical prescribers should only prescribe medications in which they can prove they have competency. Prescribing will be monitored by the PCT as part of the practice/service prescribing monitoring and the prescribing adviser assigned to the relevant practice/service will be able to provide information and advice.
Any changes to scope of practice and competency needs to be agreed with both the budget holder of the practice/service and the prescribers manager who will be asked to confirm competency. These changes should then be notified to the PCT on the Scope of Practice form.
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Secure email address
Information by email will only be sent using a secure email address (@nhs.net). Please ensure that all Prescribing Nurses have and use their secure email address.
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