The ANP role

The role has developed partly to address demand and workforce issues. In general practice it is generally understood to mean a nurse who has undertaken extra training in clinical assessment, including history-taking and physical examination, so they can safely manage patients presenting with undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions.

ANPs can:

• prescribe any medicine for any condition within their competence (including some controlled medicines) provided they have completed an Independent Prescribing qualification
• see patients with undiagnosed, undifferentiated medical conditions and make treatment decisions, including ordering necessary investigations
• refer patients to secondary care, although this can vary depending on local arrangements and protocols
• undertake appropriate home visits
• sign fit notes.

www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/gps/gp-mythbusters/gp-mythbuster-66-advanced-nurse-practitioners-anps-primary-care