New models of physiotherapy prescribing: an audit and survey in Northern Ireland

Aims: To develop and deliver a new model of prescribing (NMOP) pilot with physiotherapists in Northern Ireland Health and Social Care. Methods: Baseline and end-point audits of medicines, process maps and patient journeys of clinical pathways, stakeholder feedback sessions and stakeholder and patient surveys. Findings: Audit showed an increase in the delivery of prescriptions using the NMOP mechanisms and a reduction in other mechanisms for prescription, removing the need for a GP to action. Prescribing was evidence based and there was a reduction in the number of steps and the time taken in all clinical pathways. Patients reported high levels of satisfaction and a wide range of benefits. Conclusions: Favourable outcomes were demonstrated for patients, the health and social care system and clinicians involved. The successes of the project resulted in the integration of NMOP into business as usual across all Trust areas in Northern Ireland for certain physiotherapy specialties.