Why don't we have 'assistant doctors' who can prescribe low-level medication?

All industries (accounting, law, engineering and so on) have them: the person who is a step below the "qualified" professional and can engage in low-level, basic professional tasks.

In light of the strain on the NHS, especially GP surgeries, why don't we introduce 'assistant doctors'. These would be people who had to undergo some training, but less than that of a doctor and a nurse (not requiring a degree) and it would be largely vocational in nature. They would then be authorised to deal with/prescribe for minor ailments at the GP surgery and hospital.

All industries (accounting, law, engineering and so on) have them: the person who is a step below the "qualified" professional and can engage in low-level, basic professional tasks.

In light of the strain on the NHS, especially GP surgeries, why don't we introduce 'assistant doctors'. These would be people who had to undergo some training, but less than that of a doctor and a nurse (not requiring a degree) and it would be largely vocational in nature. They would then be authorised to deal with/prescribe for minor ailments at the GP surgery and hospital.

Like a pharmacist... or a nurse.

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1629.aspx?CategoryID=68

When you say minor ailments what do you mean? You can see a pharmacist for basic advice and I ve regularly spoken to one before deciding if making a GP appointment is necessary or not.

We need someone in between a pharmacist and a nurse in terms of prescribing power to deal with the demand in GP surgeries and hospitals.

Where what you want cannot be prescribed by a pharmacist and is too minor to be required to be prescribed by a GP or nurse.

Where what you want cannot be prescribed by a pharmacist and is too minor to be required to be prescribed by a GP or nurse.

For example?

No idea, but it's obvious that GP surgeries are under too much demand, especially with minor ailments. If nurses are not meeting the demand then what's wrong with starting a new profession which takes a bit less time to qualify compared to a nurse/GP and will attract a lot of applicants and might relieve demand?

No idea, but it's obvious that GP surgeries are under too much demand, especially with minor ailments. If nurses are not meeting the demand then what's wrong with starting a new profession which takes a bit less time to qualify compared to a nurse/GP and will attract a lot of applicants and might relieve demand?

No idea, but it's obvious that GP surgeries are under too much demand, especially with minor ailments. If nurses are not meeting the demand then what's wrong with starting a new profession which takes a bit less time to qualify compared to a nurse/GP and will attract a lot of applicants and might relieve demand?

Interesting Can they prescribe?

And they are post grads with a further 2 years of training. Sounds sensible.

We need someone in between a pharmacist and a nurse in terms of prescribing power to deal with the demand in GP surgeries and hospitals.