The Society of Radiographers (SoR) has responded to an open consultation published by the U.K. government that proposes increasing responsibilities for diagnostic radiographers and other healthcare professionals as prescribers of medication.
The proposal would allow diagnostic radiographer practitioners to work at an enhanced, advanced, or consultant (EAC) level to train in becoming independent medical prescribers. Radiographers are currently able to train to become supplementary prescribers.
The SoR noted that prescribing will "largely" apply to prescription-only medicines commonly used in clinical imaging. These include intravenous iodine-based and gadolinium-based contrast media, intravenous antispasmodics, oral bowel preparations and contrast agents, and intravenous saline.
The society added that independent prescribing will allow radiographers in EAC roles to assess patients and prescribe medications within their scope of practice. This would result in timely access to appropriate interventions, improve patient care and experience, and allow radiographers to work more flexibly and autonomously.
More information on the U.K. government's proposal can be found on the SoR's site.
