Nurse and midwife medicinal product prescribing
The Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) is responsible for leading the national implementation of nurse and midwife medicinal product prescribing in Ireland.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) provides professional regulation for registered nurse/midwife prescribers (RN/MPs).
The prescribing of medicinal products is an expanded role following successful completion of an approved education programme and registering with the NMBI as a registered RN/MP (See how to register in resources section below).
RN/MPs must adhere to:
- legislation
- professional regulation
- National and Local Health Service Provider Policies, Procedures, Protocols and Guidelines (PPPGs)
- Each RN/MP is responsible for keeping up-to-date with advances in medicinal product prescribing
Resources
Publications to support nurse and midwife medicinal product prescribing:
- National Nurse and Midwife Medicinal Product Prescribing Guideline
- Sample Addendum Template (docx)
- Guidance on Governance for the Registered Nurse and Midwife Prescriber working in an Integrated Role (PDF).
- Nurse and Midwife Medicinal Product Prescribing Toolkit - Authorised Medicinal Products, off-label prescription and Exempt Medicinal Products (PDF)
- Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) as a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife Prescriber (RN/MP) (PDF, size 1.6 MB)
Programme sponsorship
The Certificate in Nursing/Professional Diploma (Nurse/Midwife Prescribing) is currently funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) for all registered nurses and registered midwives who are employed in the HSE or a HSE funded agency (Section 38) and registered nurses employed by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) who meet the entry criteria.
Related topic
Sponsorship of nurse and midwife medicinal product prescribing
eNetworks
eNetworks is an electronic communication network for RN/MPs, prescribing site coordinators (PSCs) and other relevant staff.
The purpose of these networks is to enable RN/MPs/candidates/PSCs support and assist each other by providing them with an opportunity for discussion, collaboration and communication relating to nurse midwife prescribing matters.
Registration Process for eNetworks
Clinical audit
Audit of nurse and midwife prescribing is essential to support best practice in the delivery and evaluation of their practice.
Sample tools to assist in the audit process for nurse/midwife medicinal product prescribing:
- Guidance for Clinical Audit (PDF)
- Sample Audit Tool that can be adapted locally (doc)
- Sample Audit Tool (Appropriateness of Medication Index) (doc)
- Sample Template for Quality Improvement Plan (docx).
- Clinical Audit Report Template (docx)
- Clinical Audit Tool Excel (xlsx)
- Audit of Nurse and Midwife Medicinal Product Prescribing (YouTube)
Contacts
Clare Mac Gabhann - National Lead and HSE South, Director of Nursing and Midwifery (Prescribing)
NMPDU HSE South
Administration Building
St Marys Health Campus
Gurranabraher
Cork
T23 X440
Phone: 021 492 1210 or / 087 931 7025
Email: clare.macgabhann@hse.ie
Ruth Hoban - HSE West, Assistant Director of Nursing and Midwifery (Prescribing)
Centre of Nurse and Midwifery Education
St Marys Campus
Westport Road
Castlebar
Co. Mayo
F23 XE 39
Phone: 094 904 2067 or 087 747 9260
Email: maryruth.hoban@hse.ie