The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD, yesterday, welcomed the news that the names of the first 4 nurse/midwife prescribers have been entered onto the Nurse Prescribers register maintained by An Bord Altranais.

22 nurses and midwives graduated from the RCSI in November 2007 and a further 20 will graduate from UCC this month.

By the end of 2008 there will be approximately 150 nurses and midwives available to prescribe medications in areas such as Accident and Emergency Departments, cardiology, maternity services and other specialist care areas such as diabetes, respiratory and sexual health to name a few.

'I believe that extending prescribing responsibilities to nurses and midwives will improve patient care and will, over time, ensure that patients receive earlier interventions and therefore a better quality service' the Minister said.

The Minister thanked all those who have been working with the Resource and Implementation Group on Nurse/Midwife Prescribing over the past number of months to oversee the roll-out on a national basis of the prescribing initiative.

Department of Health and Children, Ireland