Registered nurses account for the largest professional group of independent prescribers and more than half of nurses in general practice are actively prescribing, a new report has found. Nuffield Trust’s new research report, Independent prescribing in the UK, reveals that nurses make up 69% of independent prescribers – 68,180 prescribers. This translates to around 8%...
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Community nurses and other NHS staff will see mileage reimbursement rates increase for longer journeys, following the latest review of rates carried out by the NHS Staff Council. NHS Employers has confirmed that car mileage rates per mile for journeys over 3,500 miles will increase from 21p per mile to 36p per mile. The change...
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Delayed diagnosis and undertreatment of eczema in patients with skin of colour remain a persistent challenge in primary care. Here, Dr Abi Pararajasingam explains how to recognise the signs and deliver more equitable care. Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions encountered in primary care and community pharmacy. Yet...
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A registered nurse caught advertising and in unlawful possession of prescription injectable medicines associated with cosmetic treatments has been fined. Nafeyka Chavdarova was fined £720 at Craigavon Magistrates Court in Northern Ireland last month after pleading guilty to nine charges relating to the unlawful possession of unlicensed prescription-only medicines intended for sale or supply. The...
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Appointment bookings are now open to patients eligible for this year’s spring Covid-19 booster programme. The national booking system opened on 7 April for appointments to be booked from 13 April. Patients can also book by calling 119 for free. The vaccine is available for patients who are 75 or older by 30 June, residents...
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Coordinated action across the health and care system may have helped reduce heat-related deaths in England last summer after new figures reveal a lower-than-expected death rate. The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data showed that heat-related deaths were about half the number expected for summer 2025, the warmest on record. There were an estimated 1,504 heat-associated deaths during...
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A new nurse-led unit in London is helping to discharge patients back into the community more quickly and free up hospital beds. The new discharge unit, based at St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster Bridge Road, has helped increase the number of patients discharged by 83% in the last year (January to December 2025) compared to...
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Midwifery programmes across the UK will be given new ‘anti-racism principles’ to embed within their curricula, as part of efforts to tackle ‘stark disparities’ in outcomes for Black and Asian mothers. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced that a set of new principles will be designed over the next few weeks and that...
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Nurses have been thanked for their ‘essential work’ and ‘dedication’ on World Health Day 2026, as governments around the globe are urged to invest in the nursing workforce. This year’s theme, ‘Together for health. Stand with science’, marks the launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new year-long highlighting the importance of scientific collaboration to...
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Following the meningitis outbreak in Kent last month, Nursing in Practice’s Gee Harland has spoken to several nurses at the UK Health Security Agency and Kent Community Health: NHS about the leading role of the profession during the response, including their work in delivering vaccines, providing clinical guidance and offering reassurance to students and families....
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