UK physiotherapists gain prescribing powers

UK physiotherapists gain prescribing powers

21 August, 2013

Physiotherapy New Zealand is welcoming a world-first decision by the UK Department of Health to give physiotherapists limited prescribing rights.

Suitably trained physios in the UK will now be able to independently prescribe medicines without a doctor authorising their decision.

Physiotherapy New Zealand President Gill Stotter says this is a landmark step for the profession and an important move towards greater recognition of the role physios can play.

“This is a change that we will be watching closely and we will be evaluating if this is something that could work in the New Zealand environment into the future. The obvious benefits of the scheme are freeing up GP time and patients receiving faster treatment."

Information on changes to prescribing rights in the United Kingdom:

Physiotherapists in the UK have been supplementary prescribers since 2005, which means that doctors had to sign off on their decisions.

The UK Department of Health has announced that suitably trained UK physiotherapists will be able to become independent prescribers, a world first.

Independent prescribing rights have also been provided to podiatrists.

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