Prescribing by mental health nurses in acute general hospitals

Abstract

This article will consider the role of mental health nurses (MHNs) working in a mental health liaison team (MHLT) as non-medical prescribers (NMPs) for inpatients in acute hospitals. The author has spent 10 years working as a mental health liaison nurse in acute hospitals, qualified as an NMP in 2014, and has seen how NMPs working in MHLTs can enhance care given to patients. MHLTs support and advise colleagues caring for patients with mental health problems in the acute general hospital environment, and ensure appropriate diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Consideration is given to the recent delivery of innovative services, such as rapid assessment interface and discharge (RAID), and how these services could be further strengthened by MHN NMPs, along with possible barriers and facilitators to the MHN NMP role in the acute hospital. The author believes NMP roles within MHLTs are essential to patients experiencing mental health problems in acute hospitals; these roles facilitate quick access to assessment, diagnosis and prescribing.