What’s happened 

Across allied health professions, uptake is broadly similar: 4% of physiotherapists and 5% of therapeutic radiographers are independent prescribers, while paramedics, like podiatrists, stand at 7%. 

However, the gap is more pronounced when compared with other parts of the workforce. Pharmacists have the highest proportion of prescribers, with around 33% qualified, while nurses make up the largest group overall, accounting for 69% of all independent prescribers. 

There are now nearly 100,000 independent prescribers across the UK, representing almost a quarter of the prescribing workforce. The report positions them as central to plans to move care out of hospitals and into neighbourhood settings. 

Why this matters to members 

Independent prescribing is widely seen as a way to improve patient care and make fuller use of clinical skills. For podiatry, the current level of uptake suggests there is room to expand its use, particularly as care moves closer to home. 

The report also highlights wider systemic challenges, including limited access to training and supervision, gaps in workforce planning and the risk that qualified prescribers are not always able to use their skills in practice. 

Jim Pickard, Chair of the Medicines and Medical Devices Committee at the Royal College of Podiatry, said the report reflects both progress and ongoing challenges. 

“The report reflects what many podiatrists already see in practice. Independent prescribing is growing, but we need to keep building momentum, both by increasing the number of prescribers and by supporting experienced clinicians to train the next generation. We continue to work with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Commission on Safety of Medicines (CSM) on the expansion of the list of controlled drugs available to podiatrists, alongside this work.” 

He also highlighted the importance of better data on prescribing practice. 

“We also need a clearer picture of who is accessing prescription-only medicines through exemptions and who is prescribing as an independent prescriber and in which areas of practice. That information is essential for safe practice, good governance and planning the workforce effectively.” 

The Royal College of Podiatry contributed to the report through participation with the research team. Planned improvements to its membership database, as part of a wide-ranging digital transformation, along with a provision of relevant CPD are expected to strengthen how prescribing data is captured. 

What happens next 

The report is likely to inform future workforce planning, particularly as independent prescribing is expected to grow across professions and play a larger role in neighbourhood care models. 

For podiatry, this is likely to mean a continued focus on increasing training capacity, improving access to supervision and ensuring prescribing skills are used effectively in practice.

References and links

Nuffield Trust: Independent prescribing in the UK: Workforce ambitions and implementation challenges