Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:29 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce legislation to provide nurses with safe practice regulations in the prescribing of medicines. [6280/95]
Written Answers. - Prescribing of Medicines.
, Limerick East): Section 10 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 1977, provides limited prescribing powers for registered midwives who are employed by a health board or a hospital authority to provide community based maternity services or who have given notification, in accordance with the Nurses Act, 1985, of intention to practice as a mid-wife to a health board. I am satisfied that the regulations provide for safe practice in the exercise of these prescribing powers and, therefore, have no intention of introducing new legislation for this purpose. I am not contemplating the introduction of legislation which would change the existing restrictions on nurses generally in relation to prescribing.