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18.1	The prescribing system in wards and departments: Medicine Rounds
	These usually take place at fixed times, prescribers are advised to consult nursing staff on the local arrangements for that ward/department.
18.2	The current prescription and administration record is kept at the patient's bedside or in a ward prescription and administration folder until the patient is discharged or transferred to another ward or hospital.
18.3	Medicines must not be supplied from ward/department stock to patients on discharge unless the system in use is designed to facilitate this. In either case the Discharge Notification and Prescription Form, THB (MR) 26 or paediatric /neonatal equivalent (THB (MR) 192 and THB (MR) 26A respectively, is completed and medicines are dispensed according to need. The Medicine Act 1968 requires that items dispensed for or supplied to a patient must be in a suitable container and be labelled in accordance with the Act.
18.4	A copy of the medicines prescribed to patients on discharge shall be maintained in the patient’s notes.
18.5	The prescribing system in wards and departments: Out-patients
	Forms HBP (Prescriptions for dispensing outside hospital) are available for exceptional use only to prescribe medicines for hospital out-patients. The treatment must normally be limited to no more than 1 month's supply. They shall not routinely be used to prescribe medicines for patients on discharge.
18.6	Prescribing of Medicines for Family Members, Friends and Colleagues
	The regulatory body for doctors (General Medical Council) advises within the Good Medical Practice that doctors must wherever possible avoid prescribing for anyone with whom they have a close personal relationship. The regulatory body for nurses and midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Council) advises within the document Standards of Proficiency for Nurse and Midwife Prescribers that nurses and midwives must not prescribe for, other than in exceptional circumstances, anyone with whom they have a close personal or emotional relationship. The GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) advises pharmacist prescribers that: ‘Pharmacist prescribers must not prescribe for anyone with whom they have a close personal relationship (such as family members, friends or colleagues), other than in exceptional circumstances where there are no other reasonable options available without compromising patient care.’ See in Practice Guidance for Pharmacist Prescribers (www.pharmacyregulation.org) and also refer to NHS Tayside Non Medical Prescribing Policy.
18.7	Prescribers should consider whether there is a legitimate reason for prescribing and whether the situation is an exceptional circumstance. Prescribers in the course of their professional practice can prescribe medication for a friend or colleague who has been referred to secondary care clinician as an inpatient or outpatient. If unsure, then discuss with line manager prior to prescribing medicines for family, friends or colleagues. The staff member requiring the medication supply should be added to Trakcare for the clinical area of the prescriber to allow a PDF to be created in Clinical Portal that will automatically go to their GP. Prescribers should consider the appropriateness of the member of staff remaining at work if requiring medical care and confidentiality should be maintained throughout. If urgent medical care is required, then refer to the appropriate urgent care services, NHS24, or if a medical emergency the emergency department as appropriate.. If there is no practical alternative, then prescribe a limited supply of medication (e.g. 2-3 days). In all circumstances, document assessment in the PDF of the individual’s condition and communicate any medication changes or new medication with the patient’s GP to ensure up-to-date records. For audit purposes, a justification to chose to make medication supply should be documented along with a note in bold stating that the medication is for a staff member.
18.8	Any reported prescribing incidents where the criteria set out in Section 18.7 have not been met may lead to an investigation in line with NHS Scotland Workforce Conduct Policy.