AHP prescribing extension praised by CSP

CSP professional adviser Pip White: 'This is another welcome step forward for patient care'

NHS England confirmed it will extend medicines legislation to allow use of exemptions by orthoptists, supplementary prescribing by dieticians and independent prescribing by therapeutic radiographers.

Pip White, professional adviser at the CSP, said:

‘This is another welcome step forward for patient care and the development of the allied health professions.

‘As patients who already see prescribing physiotherapists know, these powers speed up access to the medicines they need to support their package of care and reduce the need for repeat visits to a doctor.

‘It is illustrative once again of the way physiotherapists and other AHPs can help deliver the patient-centred care that the NHS must aspire to remain effective, efficient and sustainable.’

Physiotherapists were granted the right to independently prescribe medicines in 2012 and last year this was extended to certain controlled drugs.

ENDS

Note to editors

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1. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the UK’s professional, educational and trade union body. We have more than 54,000 members, including chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers.