New pain relief prescription powers given to nurses and pharmacists

The government has introduced new laws that will allow qualified nurses and pharmacists to prescribe a wider range of pain relief drugs.

Following changes to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, appropriately qualified nurses, midwives and pharmacy operators can now prescribe controlled drugs such as morphine, diamorphine and co-codamol to patients in need.

This will allow the very sick or critically injured to be treated more urgently, while nurses and pharmacists will now also be able to mix controlled therapies with other medicines for patients who require drugs intravenously.

Groups that will benefit from quicker pain relief under this new system include emergency patients and sufferers of long-term conditions such as arthritis, as well as those nearing the end of their life.

Professor Dame Chris Beasley, the government's chief nursing officer, said: "These changes will help deliver faster and more effective care, making it easier for patients to get the medicines they need, without compromising safety."

Earlier this month, the first meeting of the new Nursing and Care Quality Forum was held, during which prime minister David Cameron set out challenges aimed at helping nurses provide better quality care.