Podiatrists set to gain prescribing powers

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Press Release:
Physiotherapists and podiatrists set to gain prescribing powers
July 24, 2012

 

Independent prescribing

The Heath Minister has agreed to take forward a change in legislation to allow Podiatrists in the UK access to independent prescribing. Representatives of the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists have been involved in a four year project, along with members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists and the Department of Health.

This amendment of the Medicines Act will allow suitably trained Podiatrists to independently prescribe medicines to patients in their care and within their specialty. This affirms the autonomy of the profession and is arguably the greatest advance this profession has ever made.

The full media release can be found at http://www.iocp.org.uk/ and https:/www.wp.dh.gov.uk/mediacentre/2012/07/24/physiotherapists- andpodiatrists-set-to-gain-prescribing-powers.

For further information contact secretary@iocp.org.uk and ask for Martin Harvey or Judith Barbaro-Brown

Bill Liggins

 

Pods to prescribe medicines

netizens

http://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/uk_national_news/9833078.Physios_to_prescribe_medicines/?ref=nt

toeslayer

 

Here is the HPC Position Statement on this:

 

Re: Independent prescribing

Really???

 

Society Press Release:
Podiatrists to be granted independent prescribing powers

 

Very interesting to see some of the reactions to this news article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...-to-prescribe-drugs-Department-of-Health.html

 

Re: Independent prescribing

Hi Mark

I would seriously argue that this is the case. I have been to one or two meetings at the Dept. Health, although gained much more information from Martin Harvey and Judith Barbaro-Brown, the professional representatives who I know well. It is absolutely clear that the Dept. of Health are now aware of the independence and autonomy of the profession - they should have been aware previously but certainly some of their staff were not.

My personal view is that there will be an initial surge in colleagues wishing to prescribe and this will then lessen. However, in time, the necessary elements will inevitably be taught in the schools until, long after our time, all pods will have full prescribing rights. In my view this is a greater step forward than the 1960 Act or the HPC Act. It can be legitimately argued that podiatric surgery was actually the greatest step forward, but this did not involve the whole of the profession.

All the best

Bill

 

They're from the same bunch that contribute to TFS
The spelling and grammar are a little better though.........

 

DavidH,
You said

As there is an ex-NHS surgeon amongst them the "denizens" of TFS will be very flattered by the comparison.
But yes, the spelling, grammar and syntax are markedly better

regards

Catfoot

 

Re: Independent prescribing

I'm sorry Bill - I was rather quick of the mark with the last post. I guess I was considering the other matter of professional progress on the other thread when I answered this. You are of course, correct, I does mark progress and that is to be applauded as well as those who made it happen. And I accept the argument with surgery too. It's just a pity that these are the only indicators of progress in a profession that is crying out for it. But that is another argument altogether!

Best wishes

 

So he says!

 

Re: Independent prescribing

Hi Mark

Thanks for that; as you know I generally share your cynicism!

However, since there does not appear to be the will to create a large push forward, I suppose that we will have to rely on small steps and celebrate those as they occur.

All the best

Bill

 

just guessing the course will cost at least 1000 pounds take 6 months 1 day per week at local university. plus about 80 hours of mentoring. great if you work for a trust who will give you a day off free. i spoke to a nurse practitioner yesterday and this is roughly what they had to do, ps they get gps to mentor them however they work for the gps podiatrists generally dont. i dont think many pods will end up prescribing.if i was to do this i could get the mentoring free but the course and day off would cost in the region of 11 grand. plus travel expenses. this is a positive move forwards but will benefit the younger members of the profession particularly when it is part of an undergraduate course. for the over 50s i dont see much reward in this

 

I think I heard from Alan Borthwick it depends if you your current PoMs or not as to how long the training is.

 

As I understand it, the details of the educational side have yet to be finalised; however, I suspect that your analysis will not be completely wide of the mark. As anybody who has gone the surgical route will tell you, you get nothing without hard work. However, the (financial and other) rewards are there to make it worthwhile, even at the advanced age of 50!

I have been quoted elsewhere with the old saw of " The politician thinks of the next election; the statesman thinks of the next generation". I believe this to be true, but you still don't have to let the young plungers catch you!

All the best

Bill Liggins

 

Not sure yet how financially-rewarding having independent prescribing rights will be.

 

AHP prescribing

 

HCPC Press Release:
HCPC launches new consultation on standards for prescribing
New consultation launched
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has launched a consultation today to seek the view of stakeholders on new standards for prescribing.

 

From latest HSJ:
Rewrite the script for non-medical prescribing

 

odiatry and Physiotherapy Prescription Rights UK

netizens

Taken from the Daily Record and passed on in good faith

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/health/uk-becomes-first-country-world-2185350

toeslayer

 

Hi All
Taken from todays BBC news website



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23752418#

Cheers
D

 

Re: odiatry and Physiotherapy Prescription Rights UK

Who is that handsome Pod? :drinks

 

Caption Competition....and as its in Glasgow, use a Scottish accent...

 

Sae ye reid somewhaur 'at superglue is guid fur cracks in th' skin? Hoo lang has yer finger bin loch 'at?

Ah can demonstrate thes wi' some 2x2 an' a pulley rope if ye hae onie handy?

 

I was thinking...

"naw pal that's no mingin' at a', its jist whaur ah keep ma wee bit stash, ye ken"

 

Can somebody please explain this process in simple terms? So, legally, podiatrists can now independently prescribe from the whole BNF as long as they have completed a recognised course? Is this correct? Where are the recognised courses? Why will it take an entire year for podiatrists and physio's to begin prescribing if it is now legal?
Thank you,
Bob

 

Is this applicable to IPP's ???

Can the private sector prescribe independently ?

Cheers
D

 

Admin,

Can you please move this to a break room thread? Whilst it`s entertaining poking fun at Isaacs, the importance of prescribing rights shouldn`t be detracted from, IMO. Also, more posters will get to see it

 

That's an interesting question. Aside from the issue whether it is seen as a benefit in private practice - and I acknowledge that some sort of milestone has been passed by the profession (although quite how big or how relevant, I'm not sure) - I find myself asking, will I bother? I know all my local GPs very well so a quick phone call to their secretary ensures a prescription is waiting for my patient by the end of the day. But a more interesting issue lies with the internet and the availability of prescription drugs online from a vast number of sources. What happens when a podiatrist sends a patient to purchase drugs over the internet without a valid prescription annotation on the register?

 

I would assume the same as would happen now - hcpc conditions of practice or get struck off. If the patient themselves chose to buy drugs over the Internet without being prompted by a podiatrist/ physio then that is their problem.

Older members of the profession in generalist practice may have less direct impact from these changes, but the advent of independent prescribing should have huge benefits to the future of podiatry (I hope). Well done to all concerned in helping our future generations - now where and how do us old farts sign up?

 

My thoughts exactly. I wont bother because I'm too old and the expense of the course (s) wont justify the return of expenditure .

As you say for established practitioners who probably have their own pathways to Rx drugs via GP's etc, the internet route which I suspect many patients may take as an easy option if they have to wait 3 weeks for a GP appointment as is the norm in my area and is a very dangerous one as you never know what your getting if your gullible enough to believe the hype on the site. When it all goes bandy who's holding the baby ?? the prescribing podiatrist perhaps ??

Yep, another kettle of worms in the making :hammer:

Cheers
D

 

In my opinion, this one piece of legislation is a huge leap forward for the podiatry profession in the UK. Here in the USA, where podiatrists have had prescribing rights for about 50 years, I don't know how I could function in my podiatry practice without the ability to prescribe oral antifungals, narcotics, sleep meds, NSAIDs, antibiotics, etc. The ability to write for prescription medications will allow podiatrists who do surgery or handle foot and ankle trauma to make it much more convenient for patients to let them handle nearly everything related to their foot surgeries and traumas and other pathologies.

It not all about whether this new ability of podiatrists to prescribe medications makes any podiatrist more money or not. What this new legislation does is that is makes the healthcare services provided by podiatrists become more complete and more convenient for patients so that they will want to go to podiatrists, and not some other healthcare providers, for all their foot-health needs. This legislations brings podiatrists more in line with the medical doctors and what they can and cannot do for patients. I think it is huge. Congratulations to those podiatrists in the UK who obviously worked many long, hard hours to bring their profession these valuable new privileges.

If I were a podiatrist in the UK, I would definitely be wanting to apply for these new privileges as soon as possible. Prescribing rights will open up yet another valuable service for patient care and, potentially, make the podiatrist that has these rights become a much more valuable member of the healthcare team for their communities.

 

Agree completely. But those pods who do not (for completely valid reasons) wish to follow the relevant courses will have the opportunity to refer to their own colleagues rather than the GP and hence create closer working relationships within the profession. The only fly in the ointment is that here in the UK the NHS system provides (usually) cheaper access to drugs via the GP - it's even better in Scotland from the patient's point of view. However, some patients will prefer to take the advice of the practitioner they trust and not wait for a GP appointment.
This is a great leap forward, and congratulations to Martin Harvey, Judith Barbaro-Brown and their co-workers in creating this opportunity - also thanks for the huge amount of unrewarded personal time invested.

Bill Liggins