Treating opiate dependence in primary care: the role of non-medical prescribers
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

Treating opiate dependence in primary care: the role of non-medical prescribers

Jeff Fernandez Lead Nurse Prescriber, BOWS Services, Camden and Islington Mental Health Trust, London, England

Why you should read this article
  • To gain an understanding of how nurses can shape and deliver new opiate dependence services

  • To examine what can be done to address the growing area of opioid analgesia dependence

  • To appreciate the valuable role experienced non-medical prescribers can play in shaping healthcare

This paper examines the approach of a clinical service developed in an inner London borough to address the growing issue of opiate dependence. It outlines the approach of a Benzodiazepine and Opiate Withdrawal Service (BOWS) to illustrate the innovative role that non-medical prescribers can play in treating patients.

Primary Health Care. doi: 10.7748/phc.2021.e1697

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software

Correspondence

jeffrey.fernandez@candi.nhs.uk

Conflict of interest

None declared

Fernandez J (2021) Treating opiate dependence in primary care: the role of non-medical prescribers Primary Health Care. doi: 10.7748/phc.2021.e1697

The author would like to acknowledge the work of Maggie Coffey, Eileen Doyle and Helene Simonson for their work on the project on which this article is based

Published online: 27 January 2021

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