Nurses and pharmacies could see their role within the health service expanded under plans put forward by John Reid.

The health secretary has launched consultations on a range of policies that could help patients to get hold of their prescription medicines with greater ease.

Nurses could be able to prescribe independently for long term conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

And pharmacists could gain the power to prescribe medicines for a range of common illnesses such as acne and tonsillitis.

"By extending the prescribing powers of nurses and pharmacists, we are giving people more choice about where, and from whom, they can get prescriptions," said Reid.

"This will lessen the need for people to visit a doctor or GP and patients will benefit from quicker and more accessible services."

Pharmacy plans

Pharmacists could also take on duties including patient admission and discharge reviews, acute pain management and medication reviews.

The consultation on independent prescribing by pharmacists outlines seven options including no change to the current system, prescribing for certain conditions from a limited formulary or prescribing for any condition from a cull formulary.

"By allowing fully trained pharmacists to prescribe independently we can make better use of their considerable skills in pharmacology and therapeutics and offer people a more accessible service," said the health secretary.

"It would also enable pharmacists to offer more clinical services, both in the community and in hospitals, placing pharmacy at the heart of the primary care."

Sue Sharpe, chief executive of the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee, added: "With independent prescribing responsibilities, pharmacists who can demonstrate that they have the competencies required to support patients can use their expertise in medication. 

"In community pharmacy this can offer patients and PCTs new opportunities for provision of services that will offer access and choice for patients, particularly for people with long-term conditions who are the most frequent users of pharmacy services today."

Nursing plans

While nurses can already prescribe over 180 prescription-only medicines for a variety of medical conditions, they could take on a bigger role under some of the new proposals.

The consultation includes the creation of advanced practice nurses with a higher level of competencies.

"As nurses are the biggest single staff group in the NHS, extending their prescribing roles means people will be able to get faster access to the medicines they need," explained Reid.

"Moreover, thanks to extra training, nurses can develop their skills even further."

And chief nursing officer Christine Beasley said the consultation could mean patients being dealt with by a nurse rather than a doctor.

"By breaking down the traditional boundaries of their role, we are able to ensure that patients have quicker access to the treatment they need," she said.

"Nurses undergo thorough training before being able to prescribe so patients can be confident that they are receiving the safest, best possible care."