Nurse prescribers should use skills to influence commissioning

摘要

Welcome to this edition of the Association for Nurse Prescribing (ANP) supplement published in Nursing Standard. The edition is focused on long-term conditions, something close to many nurses' hearts and an area where nurses cannot only make a significant contribution, but also advance our practice as autonomous practitioners. The changing demography across the country, resulting in an ageing population, is increasing the incidence of long-term conditions. Greater numbers of patients with complex needs increase the demand for the high quality care for which the NHS is renowned. High quality care in this area is dependent on good teamworking . across the profession. It requires expert clinicians to work together ensuring care pathways are developed and well implemented. Care pathways are essential to ensure patients remain in optimum health. Smooth transfer between GPs, nurses, allied health professionals and hospital consultants is central to good care. Many nurse prescribers are expert practitioners in long-term conditions.