Nurse prescribing

Neighbourhood nursing: a focus for care (Cumberlege Report, 1986) recommended that community nurses should be able to prescribe, as part of their everyday nursing care, from a limited list of items. The Crown Report (1989) endorsed nurse prescribing and highlighted the circumstances in which it could occur, and a successful private members bill led to the primary legislation (Medicinal Products: Prescription by Nurses etc. Act 1992) that provided the power for nurses to prescribe.

Remote monitoring technology for patients in their own homes

Patients with heart and respiratory conditions, diabetes and those who have suffered a stroke, can now have their vital signs, such as pulse, blood pressure and body weight, tested at home on a daily basis and monitored centrally. Dr Eddie Rooney, Public Health Agency said: “The agreement of contracts for remote telemonitoring represents a significant step towards meeting the challenges of providing quality care for the growing number of people with heart disease, COPD, stroke and diabetes who want to live at home while having their conditions safely managed.