The variety and number of non-medical practitioners identified for prescribing activity is growing rapidly. Across the country, universities have validated prescribing programmes designed for generic health care practice with a distance-learning component.

Towards Prescribing Practice offers readers a comprehensive guide to the principles and practice of prescribing. The subject matter relates to the government content standards for study programmes and takes its cue from recent research in prescribing and patient care in practice. This book embraces the perennial core principles of prescribing practice, management and leadership.

Content is organised to facilitate progressive learning, with space allocated in each chapter to practice application through discussion and exercises. The early inclusion of a section on patient-centred planning and concordance enables the reader to assimilate new knowledge within an individualised care approach. The final three chapters are written from different clinical perspectives: mental health, palliative care and emergency care, providing assistance to specific areas of prescribing practice.

John McKinnon MSc PG Dip BA (Hons), RHV, RGN, RMN
John is a senior lecturer in nursing at the University of Lincoln, UK and the local academic lead for the government's widening participation initiative. He is a former programme leader for the nurse prescribing studies and was in the first wave of practitioners in the country to become nurse prescribers.