Midwives and nurses trained to prescribe drugs

THE first group of nurses and midwives to successfully complete a drug-prescribing programme received their certificates at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin yesterday.

The 22 nurses and midwives who completed the six-month educational programme can now prescribe painkillers, antibiotics and other medicines.

A further 20 nurses and midwives are due to complete a similar programme at University College Cork next month with up to 100 expected to graduate nationally next year.