Independent Prescribing is the term used to describe any prescribing completed by a healthcare professional other than a doctor or dentist.
What are the benefits to Independent Prescribing funding?
Independent Prescribing has an important role to play in transformation of services and therefore programmes to provide training to eligible healthcare professionals are essential to meet the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. Independent Prescribing has demonstrated great impact for patient care in terms of access, expertise and economic benefit. Consequently, investing in Independent Prescribing funding is seen as ‘an investment to save’ and encouraging Independent Prescribing capacity is seen as a vital upskilling priority and features as a key enabler in the planning and delivery of new care models and transforming care.
Independent Prescribing training can support role and career development by enabling practitioners to take on greater responsibilities for managing patient care. Independent Prescribing enhances patient care by supporting patients’ timely access to treatment with medicines, enabling choice whilst helping to reduce waiting times, reduce hospital admissions and maximising the wider skills of the healthcare team ( NHSE)
The Department of Health specify which registered professionals can become Independent Prescribing prescribers. At present the eligible professionals included are:
-Independent and supplementary prescribers
– Nurses/Midwives
– Pharmacists
– Physiotherapists
– Podiatrist
– Paramedics
– Optometrists
– Therapeutic Radiographers
Supplementary prescribers only
– Diagnostic Radiographers
– Dieticians
Funding
We have now received information regarding our NHSE funding for this year (26-7) and have limited funding for places on Independent Prescribing programmes at the 3 Education providers within our region.
University of Exeter – Practice Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing | Postgraduate Taught | University of Exeter
University of Plymouth – Independent and supplementary non-medical prescribing (NMP603 / NMP703) – University of Plymouth
UWE – Independent and/or Supplementary Prescribing – Professional/Short course – UWE Bristol: Courses
If you wish to be considered for a funded place, please complete this Independent Prescribing funding form by 31st May 2026.
Please ensure you check the criteria for funding carefully , this may differ from the University requirements, and this is an application for funding only , you will need to apply separately to the University of your choice.
These prescribing places are only for nurses and AHPs working in General Practice in Devon. Pharmacists have their own ring- fenced contract and NHSE directly fund via the approved universities, but places are limited. Please see the website for criteria and details of the approved education providers Approved suppliers list – National Provision | NHS England | Workforce, training and education
Any queries , please contact Jo Sutton jsutton4@nhs.net