Nurse prescribing
Nurse prescribing in mental health first began in 2003 (DH 2005) although it has been practised in primary care by District Nurses since the 1990s. For the purposes of this
paper, there are two forms of nurse prescribing. Supplementary prescribing is where a nurse and the psychiatrist agree together to treat a patient with an established diagnosis with a range of medication. This is also in agreement with the patient. The parameters of the medication choices are listed on a clinical management plan (CMP). The CMP can be limited, for example, only allowing the nurse to alter dosages. The CMP can also be broad such as allowing the nurse to prescribe medication from a class of drugs to treat a disorder (DH 2005). With supplementary prescribing there is a close relationship between the nurse prescriber and CP. It is the CP who sets the limitations of the CMP and it is the nurse prescriber who agrees to work within them. Independent prescribing (IP) is where a suitably