Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sharpe of Epsom on 24 July (HL9391), whether the legislation needed to enable prescribing of controlled drugs by paramedic independent prescribers is capable of being made by statutory instrument; and if so, what is the reason for their delay in making it.

I reaffirm that the Government intends to legislate to enable prescribing of controlled drugs by paramedic independent prescribers alongside other changes relating to use of controlled drugs in healthcare by podiatrists, therapeutic radiographer independent prescribers, and those acting under Patient Group Directions.

The changes are capable of being made by a Statutory Instrument and we will bring forward legislation as soon as possible, but this will remain subject to Parliamentary procedure.