ABSTRACT
The development of nursing expertise is therefore vital in terms of progressing the nursing profession, primary care and substance misuse treatment services. This chapter outlines the key knowledge base that can inform the working of an addiction nurse in primary care. To expand this knowledge base requires a commitment to clinical supervision either individually or preferably in a multi-disciplinary group setting, particularly if the nurse is working autonomously and managed in a secondary care service elsewhere. Problems can emerge if there is conflict between the management of care between two or more services that may require resolution at a managerial policy making level in addition to good communication between clinicians. The chapter considers the impact of another key area of change on the delivery of substance misuse treatments, that of nurse prescribing. The introduction of the nurse consultant role has provided an unprecedented opportunity for the nursing profession and for individual nurses in the UK.
