Easier access to prescriptions as nurses' powers grow

Australians will soon be able to more easily access medicines as nurses are given more powers to prescribe.

Create a free account to read this article

Login or signup to continue reading

Continue with Email

Continue with Google

Continue with Apple

Registered nurses who receive specific training will be qualified to prescribe medicines for issues such as blood pressure, diabetes, pain and more in partnership with a higher-qualified nurse practitioner or a doctor.

The change, modelled on similar programs in the UK and New Zealand, will be a game changer, Australian College of Nursing chief nursing officer Frances Rice said.

"Instead of having to see the GP to have your contraception prescription renewed, you could go and see the registered nurse," she told AAP.

"Save those appoi