Ongoing developments in the prescribing agenda such as the new competency framework and the widening of professional responsibility within this field, are just part of other major changes taking place in health and social care today. The advantages for nurses of working in this new and rapidly evolving healthenvironment include the possibility of greater role flexibility, increased employability in multi-sectoral teams and the opportunity to run their own commissioned services. For managers, there is the possibility of providing a whole therapeutic package of care from each employee, with the distinct advantage of reducing the cost of relying on locum staff and brought-in prescribing services. This article outlines the common competency framework for prescribing, which provides a focus for the development of skill and knowledge and aims to ensure that standards are upheld across care services.
Anita Fatchett, Associate Senior Lecturer Nursing at Leeds Metropolitan University
Andrew McEwan, Non-Medical Prescribing Lead at Leeds Metropolitan University
Carolyn Lees considers the need to evaluate and monitor clinical supervision
Claire Rashid & Helen Bentley discuss how nurse prescribing has influenced both personal and inter-professional roles.
Claire Rashid BSc (Hons), RGN, NDN, CPT, Senior Nurse Professional Development, Nurse Prescribing Lead Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare NHS Trust.
Helen Bentley MSc, RGN, RM, NDN, DPSN, PGCEA/DNT, Senior Lecturer in Community Nursing, De Montfort University, Leicester.
Article accepted for publication January 2001.
Joanne Bennett and Ann Robinson describe how the planned programme of NHS modernisation has placed considerable demands on primary care staff.
Joanne Bennett MA, BA, NDN, RN, RNT is Principal Lecturer in Primary Care at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle. Ann Robinson BSc (Hons), PGCert, RGN, NDN/HV, CPT is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle.Article accepted for publication April 2002.
In their second article Joanne Bennett and Ann Robinson describe the development of a series of workshops designed to meet staff needs and reflect on the process of change that was achieved.
Joanne Bennett MA, BA, NDN, RN, RNT is Principal Lecturer in Primary Care at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle. Ann Robinson BSc (Hons), PGCert, RGN, NDN/HV, CPT is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle.
Article accepted for publication April 2002.
Jenny Boyden and Bernie Edwards present a vision for integrating an advanced nurse practitioner role into a community out-of-hours service.
Jenny Boyden BSc (Hons), Dip Community Nursing, RGN, ONC is a team leader of a twilight nursing service, Hampshire.
Bernie Edwards PhD, RN, BSc (Hons), Dip N (Lond), PGC(F)E, RNT is a Practice Development Fellow, IHCS, Bournemouth University.
Article accepted for publication: July 2005
