Non-medical prescribing in palliative and end-of-life care (EOLC)

Abstract

The one certainty in life is that we will all die, and the only unpredictable factor is how and where. UK nurses have the authority to prescribe after completion of a recognised accredited prescribing course through a UK university. However, a relatively small number of nurses train as prescribers and many who qualify do not utilise their skills on a regular basis. Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in palliative care are rightly reluctant to prescribe relevant drugs without the appropriate support or training and lack of support and acceptance by the medical team. Commonly prescribed drugs such as opioids, anti-emetics, anti-secretory drugs, antipsychotic agents and mouth care products can significantly enhance the role of the CNS in palliative care and the support and care provided for our dying patients.