AHP Prescribing Programme Information
Currently four AHP professions have been given prescribing responsibilities:
Independent and supplementary prescribing – Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Therapeutic Radiographers and Paramedics
Supplementary prescribing – Dietetics, Diagnostic Radiographers
Prescribing requires an additional Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) annotation. Only HCPC approved courses provide eligibility for this annotation. Currently all approved programmes are delivered by Higher Education Institutions.
Approved programmes
If you are looking for an independent prescribing annotation, you must ensure your chosen HEI is approved for independent prescribing as well as supplementary prescribing before you start your programme. Retrospective approval of programmes cannot be given. See the HCPC's register of approved prescribing programmes
Curriculum Framework for full and conversion programmes
NHS England, in conjunction with the relevant AHP professional bodies, has fully revised and updated the curricula that HEIs are required to follow in order to prepare physiotherapists, podiatrists, radiographers, dietitians and paramedics for a prescribing annotation with the HCPC. These new curricula are owned by the Allied Health Professions Federation, on behalf of all the professions to which the curricula apply.
Outline Curriculum Framework for the full programme for those new to prescribing
Outline curriculum framework for education programmes to prepare physiotherapists, podiatrists, therapeutic radiographers and paramedics as independent/supplementary prescribers and to prepare dietitians and diagnostic radiographers as supplementary prescribers. This outline curriculum framework document is aimed at education providers intending to develop education programmes and individuals interested in education programmes for physiotherapists, podiatrists, therapeutic radiographers and paramedics to fulfil the requirements for annotation on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register as both independent and supplementary prescribers, and dietitians and diagnostic radiographers to fulfil the requirements for annotation on the HCPC register as supplementary prescribers - link to the Outline Curriculum Framework for Education Programmes.
The AHPF is aware that the Outline Curriculum Framework for Education Programmes document does not match the HCPC standards; it will be updated later this year.
Outline Curriculum Framework for Conversion Programmes to Prepare Physiotherapist, Podiatrist and Therapeutic Radiographer Supplementary Prescribers as Independent Prescribers
This outline curriculum framework is aimed at education providers intending to develop education programmes and individuals interested in education programmes to prepare physiotherapist, podiatrist and therapeutic radiographer supplementary prescribers as independent prescribers. Link to the Conversions Programme – link to the Conversion Outline Curriculum
