Independent and Supplementary Non-medical Prescribing (HCPC registrants)

The aims of the course are to:

• Enable achievement of outcomes that meet the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s (RPS) A Competency Framework for all Prescribers (2021) in order to prescribe safely and effectively.
• Develop a systematic understanding of the processes and context of non-medical prescribing.
• Apply principles of prescribing in the practice context to demonstrate skills-based competency.

Independent Prescribing

Independent prescribing is prescribing by a practitioner, who is responsible and accountable for the assessment of service users with undiagnosed or diagnosed conditions and for decisions about the clinical management required.

An independent prescriber is able to prescribe on their own initiative any medicine within their scope of practice and relevant legislation (HCPC, 2021).

Supplementary Prescribing

A supplementary prescriber is a voluntary partnership between a doctor or dentist and a supplementary prescriber to prescribe within an agreed service user-specific clinical management plan (CMP). This is a written plan agreed between a doctor or dentist and a supplementary prescriber for the treatment of a named service user, with the knowledge and agreement of the service user and/or carer. The plan outlines the illnesses or conditions that may be treated by the supplementary prescriber, the types of medicines they may prescribe any limits to the strength or dose of medicines that they may prescribe.

Once qualified a supplementary prescriber may prescribe any medicine within their clinical competence, within the limits of the CMP (HCPC, 2021).

Who is it for?

This course is designed for experienced HCPC Registrants (Physiotherapists, Paramedics, Chiropodists/Podiatrists, Diagnostic/Therapeutic Radiographers and Dieticians) to gain the skills needed to be an Independent and/or Supplementary Prescriber as permitted by their statutory regulator.

Timetable

There are 13 study days with and additional 2 days to undertake online exams on campus. After the taught content, there is a practice-based component for which you are required to complete a minimum of 90 hours of supervision (evidenced in a Competency Assessment Document), submit 2 x clinical cases and a critical reflective essay (3500 words) based on RPS Competencies 7,8,9 and 10.

• 8, 15, 22, 29 January 2026
• 2 (Formative Exams), 19, 16 (Summative Exams) April 2026
• 5, 12, 19 (online), 26 February 2026
• 5, 12, 19, 26 March

Benefits

This module is a demanding programme of study and includes both academic work and clinical components. Our health CPD courses are credit-bearing modules that contribute to a University degree or award.

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

As a health care professional, once you've completed this course you could offset 30 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 60 credits, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

The course content includes the following topics:

• skills required for consultation, shared decision making and therapy, including referral, monitoring and review
• clinical pharmacology, including the effects of comorbidity and the impact on a patient/client
• legal, policy and ethical aspects of prescribing
• evidence-based practice and clinical governance in relation to nurse prescribing
• professional accountability and responsibility and its application to community nurse prescribing

On successful completion of this demanding course, you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate and use sources of information/advice and decision-support systems in prescribing practice.
• Appraise the influences that can affect prescribing practice, and demonstrate your understanding by managing your prescribing practice in an ethical way.
• Synthesise and apply knowledge of drug actions in prescribing practice and apply knowledge of health and illness in order to assess and diagnose presenting conditions and agree a treatment plan.
• Demonstrate accurate assessment, consultation and communication with patients, clients, parents and carers.
• Critically evaluate and work within legal and regulatory frameworks affecting prescribing practice, prescribing within your own scope of practice and recognising the limits of your own knowledge and skill.
• Demonstrate respect for the patient/client in relation to diversity, values, beliefs, and expectation about their health and treatment with medicines.
• Appraise and discuss the importance of shared decision-making, respecting patient/client preferences, including their right to refuse or limit treatment, and promoting concordance and medicines adherence.
• Appraise the value of and demonstrate collaborative working as part of a multidisciplinary team, establishing relationships with other professionals based on understanding, trust and respect for each other’s roles in relation to prescribing.

Teaching

This module consists of taught (theory and research) sessions (classroom and online) and supervised prescribing practice-based learning experiences.

Assessment

You will be assessed by the following methods:

The summative assessment for this course consists of:

• Competency Assessment Document – to demonstrate compliance with the RPS Competencies (2021)
• A 3,500-word essay
• A clinical calculations test in which you must achieve 100% to pass.
• A pharmacology MCQ test in which you must achieve 80% to pass

Upon successful completion of this course, the HCPC will be notified and you will have the opportunity to register as an Independent and/or Supplementary Prescriber (as applicable).

As a stand-alone module, you will be awarded 30 credits at Level 7.

This course is provided by the School of Health & Medical Sciences.

Credits

This course is worth 30 credits toward eligible programmes.

Please note: applications for this module will not be considered unless you meet all the entry requirements. This is an extremely popular module and applications will be considered on a first come first serve basis.

Please note: There is no flexibility with the entry requirements below. Students are required to meet all requirements before applying for this course.

• a second class or above (2:2 classification) honours degree in a relevant subject from an approved higher education institution or evidence of master’s level CPPD (level 7) study undertaken within the last five years.
• Completion of an appropriate module in Advanced Physical Assessment prior to application
• Independent and Supplementary Prescribing
  current registration the HCPC as either a Physiotherapist, Paramedic, Chiropodist/Podiatrist or Therapeutic Radiographer (evidence provided by supplying valid HCPC PIN and expiry date).
• registration with the HCPC as applicable for a minimum period of 1 year prior to application in the area of healthcare that you intend to prescribe.
• identification of an area of clinical practice within which your scope of where prescribing practice will be developed.
• Confirmation that your current post requires you to be an Independent and Supplementary Prescriber.
• confirmation of the agreement of an experienced independent prescriber who meet the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Competency Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPP) to act as your Designated Prescribing Practitioner during the 90 hours of learning in prescribing practice.
• confirmation that your employing organisation will support you to undertake the module and that the support provided will include:
• 15 days to attend scheduled study and assessment days and engage in guided study activities set by the university.
• arrangements to support a supervised period of learning in prescribing practice equivalent to a minimum of 90 hours.
• protected time to engage in practice development activities with an identified Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) and Practice Supervisor (NMC registrants only).
• access to appropriate prescribing related learning opportunities in practice.

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

• A first degree from a UK university
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.
• International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 7.0
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required
• TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking
• Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator

Some useful literature to read in advance and during the course:

• Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2021) A Competency Framework for all Prescribers
• HCPC (2019) Standards for Prescribing
• College of Paramedics (2021) PRACTICE GUIDANCE FOR PARAMEDICS Independent & Supplementary Prescribers