Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of occupational therapist prescribing rights on (a) reducing waiting times and (b) improving access to care in West Dorset.

We support the expansion of non-medical professional groups being able to use legal mechanisms to prescribe, supply, and administer medicines to patients where it is safe to do so. There is a robust process in place for making such changes to ensure they are safe and beneficial for patients.

We are considering requests for the extension of existing medicines responsibilities and recently concluded a consultation on proposals to extend the medicines responsibilities of four professions. Further information can be found at the following link:

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/extend-medicines-responsibilities-for-allied-health-professions

No specific assessment has been made of the impact of extending prescribing rights for occupational therapists on patient access to treatment, waiting times, or access to care in West Dorset.