Nurse/Non Medical Prescribing: National Update
Dr Barry Quinn, Senior Lecturer, Queens University, Belfast, Consultant Editor, RCNi Nursing Management 
"We live in a death denying society"
Dr Quinn said; "newly qualified nurses will move much quicker towards nurse prescribing they will come out with more of a base line (for prescribing)."
Following case study examples, Dr Quinn concluded his presentation by saying nurses face a challenge in balancing clinical skills and maintaining quality of nursing/holisitic care."
In a second presentation later Dr Quinn said; "dying should be a less medical process with care led by the patient"
Pre-event abstract
The world of health and social care is changing, people are living longer with a growing number of co-morbidities. As prescribers working in end of life care we are required to be knowledgeable in many diseases in order to support the person with advanced disease. In order to preparing the nursing workforce of the future, the new nursing curriculum recognises that more nurses will be required to take on the role of prescriber. In this presentation I will set out some of the national developments in non-medical prescribing and the important role we as prescribers play in the end of life care setting. The art of good prescribing in the end of life care setting or indeed in any health and social care setting recognises the person at the heart of decision making and care. I will use a case study from my own practice to help highlight that the competencies and updates required of a safe and effective prescriber are in fact closely similar to the skills required of all practitioners who support those who are moving towards the end of life. Using our clinical skills and our ability to be with people at this sensitive and precious time of their life, we are in a privileged position to help and support the individual, ease their distress and support their family.
Full PowerPoint Presentation
Nurse/Non Medical Prescribing for Pain at the End of Life
Inge Bateman, Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist In-patient Pain Service, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Inge said; "pain is not just a physological process" and "there's lots of consequences if pain is not well controlled"
Pre-event abstract
Non-medical prescribing needs to be used in the context of safe delivery of care and therefor part of sound governance framework within your organisation. I will share my experiences both as a Non-medical Prescriber but also as a former Non-medical Prescribing Lead for the Trust. Concerns are frequently being raised in relation to deskilling other professionals by having clinical nurse specialists and in particular if they are Non-medical Prescribers as well. It is like everything a balancing act between delivering best care here and now and long-term benefits, which I believe are best achieved by having clinical nurse specialist that are prescribers but also understand the context of prescribing within a team approach. Maintaining competency and demonstrating this can be a challenge so I will share some of the experiences from our Trust. Collaborative working is vital and I will highlight some of the changes that we have found beneficial for delivering quality care to our patients. Our organisation is using the leadership model used at Virgina Mason Institute in developing our Patients First Programme, which in a few words means that we put patients first in everything we do. Through case based discussion I will cover the role of the Inpatient Pain Service and how this can complement the Palliative Care Team or support Hospice care.
Full PowerPoint Presentation