NPC publishes single competency framework for prescribers
June 12, 2012 by admin
The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has published a single prescribing competency framework for all prescribers, regardless of professional background - so including all non-medical prescribers, and doctors and dentists. This is exciting news for non-medical prescribers as it recognises that, “a common set of competencies underpin prescribing regardless of professional background”. Although the framework is generic, the NPC points out that it can be adapted for particular settings, either clinical or professional.
The framework consists of three domains, each with three competencies:
- The consultation: knowledge; options; shared decision making
- Prescribing effectively: always improving; professional; safe
- Prescribing in context: the healthcare system; information; self and others.
The NPC says that the prescribing framework can be used by healthcare professionals who are preparing to prescribe and also to help prescribers identify strengths and areas that need attention.
NPC seeks non-medical prescribers
October 20, 2011 by admin
The NPC is looking for active non-medical prescribers to help it validate a draft of a new generic competency framework for all prescribers, including doctors. It will be holding focus groups on the framework on 8 November in London and 28 November in Liverpool and would like to hear from interested nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, podiatrists, radiographers and optometrists. See here for more information.
Changes afoot for NICE/NPC
November 10, 2010 by admin
NICE is to lose its power to turn down new medicines for NHS use on the basis that they are too expensive for the benefits they offer, according to press reports. It will retain its role in producing guidelines but the NHS will move to a system of ‘value-based pricing’ to decide the costs of drugs, under government plans, with decisions taken by patients’ doctors and GP consortia. Lord Howe (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Quality - Lords) is reported to have told a trade body meeting in October that NICE was “somewhat redundant” when it came to cost-effectiveness decisions. The government’s White Paper set out NICE’s future role in developing quality standards in the future.
The news has received a mixed reaction, perhaps not surprisingly given the controversies over NICE’s role and decisions and the different interest groups involved.
The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has announced that it is going to merge with NICE, that ministers have given approval, and that detailed discussions will start now with a view to the work being integrated by April 2011.
NPC lists 15 areas for prescribing action
September 27, 2010 by admin
The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has published an initial list of 15 common drugs where prescribing savings can be made or quality improved in primary care. A fuller report will follow but this list, says the NPC, is of “therapeutic topics for early consideration, which offer real opportunities for maintaining or improving quality and enhancing value for money”. Director of Evidence-based Therapeutics at the NPC, Neal Maskrey, introduces the report by stressing that although this is all about increasing the efficiency of primary care prescribing, “the evidence base for all the topics identified has been carefully examined to ensure that safety and clinical effectiveness would be maintained, or in some cases even improved, if they were incorporated into prescribing practice with less variation than at present.”
The topics are: renin-angiotensin system drugs; statins; newer hypoglycaemics; proton pump inhibitors; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); low-dose antipsychotics in people with dementia; long-acting insulin analogues; self-monitoring of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes; clopidogrel; ezetimibe; antibiotic prescribing - especially quinolones and cephlasporins; hypnotics; orlistat; high-dose inhaled corticosteroids; and alendronate. Much of the advice refers to NICE or other existing guidance, highlighting common areas of over-treatment, and instances where higher doses than needed are often prescribed, or where the evidence does not support the use of more expensive drugs.
Some will not save costs but will improve quality, says the document, whereas in other cases small local savings can contribute to large national ones. It cites analysis showing savings of £443 million in 2009 (compared with 2005) from more cost-effective prescribing across four drug categories.
The National Pharmacy Association has said that the NHS should, “look through the other end of the telescope for the big wins”, highlighting problems with what patients actually do with their medicines, and pointing out that up to half of all medicines may not be taken as the prescriber intended. It is calling for a national medicines concordance scheme to be rolled out in pharmacies in England.
NMP guide for commissioners published
April 29, 2010 by admin
‘Non-medical prescribing by nurses, optometrists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists and radiographers. A quick guide for commissioners’ has been published by the National Prescribing Centre (NPC) to support organisations in effectively implementing non-medical prescribing. It points out that non-medical prescribing is part of a bigger picture of ongoing NHS reform and making best use of finite resources. The guide contains lots of examples of how non-medical prescribing has been used.
Updated guide to PGDs
January 20, 2010 by admin
The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has published an updated guide to Patient Group Directions (PGDs). It includes case studies and discussion of when to use PGDs and when prescribing is preferable.
NPC publishes FAQ list for non-medical prescribing
November 27, 2009 by admin
The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has published some frequently asked questions and answers about non-medical prescribing on its website. They tackle issues such as the position on controlled drugs (no news as yet on when they necessary changes will be made to allow nurse independent prescribers to prescribe more controlled drugs), using prescription pads in different settings, and what details about a prescriber need to be on the form.
Non-medical prescribing: database of examples
July 6, 2009 by admin
The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has launched a database of examples of non-medical prescribing implementation submitted to the NPC for sharing with the wider NHS. To submit an example, or read about other people’s experience, see here.
NPC launches non-medical prescribing support programme
May 1, 2009 by admin
The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has launched a new programme to support non-medical prescribing (NMP).
The Department of Health has commissioned it to ‘assist in promoting and supporting the continued development of NMP, within prescribers’ competencies, through effective policy implementation, advice and promotion’, explains the NPC, which says it aims to increase recognition and understanding of NMP by better communications and to provide a resource of knowledge, information and advice.
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