A principle aim of supplementary prescribing is to enable faster access to medicines for people who have a chronic condition. The example of a young person with diabetes is used to demonstrate the benefits of nurse specialists being able to prescribe. The way in which prescribing requirements, such as clinical management plans, relate to existing multi-disciplinary team management of children with chronic illness is also illustrated. Having the young person and family as partners within the team is essential; use of management plans reinforces this partnership and allows care to be delivered in a structured way.