New law in September 2014 gives Medicine Prescribing Powers
to Physiotherapists in United Kingdom (Wales) after Special Training:
Physiotherapists (Subject to Special Training) are being
given the power to prescribe medicines under new laws which came into force on September
24 , 2014.
The new rules bring Wales into line with England, where the right to prescribe
for physiotherapists was set in August 2013, and Scotland in May 2014. The new
Welsh Government legislation is part of efforts to improve the patient
experience and free up time for General Practitioners (GPs).
"Independent prescribing puts physiotherapists in a
unique position to meet these needs and support people to be more independent,
have better control of their symptoms and ultimately have a better quality of
life."
It means fewer patients will have to go back to their GPs for
prescriptions.
Wales Health Minister Mark Drakeford said patients would get
"a faster, more effective service with quicker access to the medications
they need".
UK Health Minister Norman Lamb hailed it as a "huge milestone in the long
battle for recognition of physiotherapists' skills".
A spokesperson for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
said: "We are pleased to report that physiotherapists in England and Scotland
are making the most of the opportunity they now have to enhance patient care as
independent prescribers.
"We have noticed that the new powers have made a
particularly strong impact in both neurological rehabilitation and in the
treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, such as back and neck pain."
"Many people with long term conditions require a
combination of medicines and physical management to best meet their
needs," said Mr Morris.
The change, which also applies to chiropodists and
podiatrists, is also aimed at easing pressure on other parts of the NHS.
Nurses, pharmacists and optometrists can already prescribe
medicines, with powers now extended to additional groups of health
professionals - subject to training.
Gary Morris, a physiotherapist in Carmarthen, has already
had the training and is registered to prescribe medicines to his patients from
Wednesday.
Physiotherapists, chiropodists and podiatrists in Wales now
have new powers to prescribe medicines to their patients, it has been
announced.
New Welsh Government laws come into force today which will
allow this group of health professionals, who have successfully completed
additional training, to prescribe anti-inflammatory agents and painkillers
without referring patients back to a GP if medication is needed.
The aim is to provide quicker access for patients to the
necessary drugs needed to treat their condition, as well as ease the burden on
consultants and GPs.
Currently nurses, pharmacists and optometrists are among
those who can prescribe medicines and other items, such as dressings and
appliances, from the Drug Tariff.
Lecturer Gary Morris, who works at Cardiff University’s
School of Healthcare Sciences, is now registered with the Health and Care
Professions Council (HCPC) as an independent prescriber following the new legislation
by the Welsh Government.
He has become the first practicing physiotherapist in Wales
to be given the green light to prescribe medicines to patients without the need
for a doctor’s countersignature.
Mr Morris, who is also an advanced physiotherapy practitioner
in neurological rehabilitation for Hywel Dda University Health Board, completed
his independent prescribing conversion training in June this year.
He believes the new legislation provides a more integrated
approach to treatment for patients - many of whom have previously made long
trips to hospitals.
He said: “Many people with long-term conditions require a
combination of medicines and physical management to best meet their needs.
“For example, botox injections and antispasmodic medication
combined with physiotherapy for spasms resulting from neurological conditions,
or analgesia and exercise in chronic pain.
“Independent prescribing puts physiotherapists in a unique
position to meet these needs and support people to be more independent, have
better control of their symptoms and ultimately have a better quality of life.”
Physiotherapists and podiatrists across the UK will be the
first in the world to be able to practice in this way, which hopes to reduce
referrals to GP services and free up consultant capacity, saving time and
money.
The right to prescribe was legalised for physiotherapists
practising in England in September 2013 and was hailed by the then Health
Minister, Norman Lamb, as a “huge milestone in the long battle for recognition
of physiotherapists’ skills”.
Physiotherapists in Wales can apply for funding for
independent prescribing training from the Workforce, Education and Development
Service, which works on behalf of NHS Wales, the Welsh Government and education
providers.
Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: “These new regulations
mark a significant change in the way the Welsh NHS works. It will mean the
better use of highly-trained health professionals so patients benefit from a
faster, more effective service with quicker access to the medications they
need.
“This recognises the qualifications and experience of
physiotherapists, chiropodists and podiatrists and puts them in an even better position
to treat their patients in a more effective way.
“Crucially, it will also help alleviate pressure on other
parts of the health service.”
Pip Ford, Public Affairs and Policy Manager for the
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in Wales, said: “This is excellent news for
physiotherapists and their patients.
“It means physiotherapists that train to become independent
prescribers can use it as part of their treatment and management programme in
partnership with their patients.
“This will improve the experience for patients who will not
need to go separately to their doctor for them to prescribe medication used in
conjunction with physiotherapy.
“We already have physiotherapists ready and waiting to use
their new skills and I look forward to following their progress.”
A spinal tumour left Kayleigh Davies, from Carmarthen, in a
wheelchair forcing her to put her degree in social work on hold.
After an operation to remove the tumour, the 27-year-old
continues to receive physiotherapy treatment as an outpatient.
Speaking of her treatment, she said: “While I was having
physiotherapy I developed spasms in one of my legs which meant I couldn’t
progress with my rehab.
“One of the physiotherapists in the team was able to treat
this with botox injections to stop the spasms but I had to wait to see a
consultant before they could start the treatment.
“After having the treatment I was able to continue my
physiotherapy and am now able to walk short distances with crutches and have
since been able to return to university.
“With the changes in the law I won’t have to wait to see a
consultant if I need the treatment again which is great.
“It’s also great that other people in a similar position to
me won’t have to wait to see a doctor if they need this treatment in the
future.”
Kayleigh Davies, a 27-year-old patient of Mr Morris, had to
put her degree course on hold when a spinal tumour left her in a wheelchair.
She had physiotherapy after an operation to remove the
tumour, and said the new rules would ensure quicker treatment when she next
needed it.
"While I was having physiotherapy I developed spasms in
one of my legs which meant I couldn't progress with my rehab," she said.
"One of the physiotherapists in the team was able to treat
this with Botox injections to stop the spasms but I had to wait to see a
consultant before they could start the treatment.
"With the changes in the law I won't have to wait to
see a consultant if I need the treatment again, which is great."
