What is an Independent Prescribing Physiotherapist?

An Independent Prescribing Physiotherapist is a physiotherapist who has completed additional specialist postgraduate prescribing education and is appropriately annotated with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an independent prescriber.

This enables them to independently assess patients and prescribe appropriate medicines within their professional competence and scope of practice.

At Midland Physiotherapy, prescribing is integrated with clinical assessment, physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation rather than considered in isolation.

When might a private prescription be appropriate?

Medication may sometimes be considered when pain or other symptoms are affecting your ability to move, sleep, work, exercise or participate effectively in rehabilitation.

Where appropriate, prescribing may be used alongside physiotherapy to help manage symptoms and support your wider treatment plan.

Medication is not automatically prescribed. Your clinician will first consider whether it is clinically indicated, appropriate and safe for you.

What happens during a prescribing consultation?

Your clinician will complete an appropriate assessment before making any prescribing decision. This may include discussing your current symptoms, medical history, allergies, existing medication, previous treatments and any relevant health conditions.

Where medication is appropriate, your clinician will discuss the proposed treatment with you, including its intended purpose, how it should be taken, relevant precautions and potential side effects.

Alternative options, including non-pharmacological management, will also be considered where appropriate.

Can you issue private prescriptions?

Yes. Where clinically appropriate, a private prescription can be issued following an appropriate consultation and assessment.

As this is a private healthcare service, the prescription is separate from an NHS prescription. The medication is dispensed by a pharmacy and the cost of the medication is normally paid directly to the pharmacy by the patient.

Pharmacy charges can vary depending on the medication prescribed.

Can medication be prescribed during a physiotherapy appointment?

Potentially, yes.

If prescribing falls within the clinician's scope of practice and medication is clinically appropriate, it may be considered as part of your physiotherapy care.

A prescription will not be issued solely because it has been requested. Every prescribing decision is based on individual clinical need, safety and professional prescribing responsibilities.

What types of medication can be prescribed?

Prescribing is undertaken within the clinician's professional scope of practice and competence, with a particular focus on medicines relevant to the management of appropriate musculoskeletal presentations.

The specific medication considered will depend on your symptoms, medical history, current medicines, contraindications and the findings of your clinical assessment.

Where your medication needs fall outside our scope of practice, you may be advised to speak with your GP, pharmacist or another appropriate healthcare professional.

Will you check my existing medication?

Yes. Medication reconciliation and an appropriate review of your current medicines form an important part of safe prescribing.

Please provide accurate information about any prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and relevant supplements you are currently taking, together with any known allergies or previous adverse reactions.

Where further information is required before prescribing safely, your clinician may need to obtain this before issuing a prescription.

Will my GP be informed?

Where appropriate, information about medication prescribed privately may be communicated to your GP or other healthcare professionals involved in your care to support continuity and safety.

Your clinician will explain when information needs to be shared and manage your information in accordance with professional and data-protection requirements.

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