35Minister may grant nurse's authority in certain circumstances

35 Minister may grant nurse's authority in certain circumstances

(1)  Where, on the application of a registered nurse, the Minister is satisfied that the nurse carries on his or her profession under such circumstances that the services of a medical practitioner are not readily available to give instructions for the administration of narcotic substances to the patients upon whom the nurse attends, the Minister may grant the nurse a nurse's authority.

(2)  A nurse's authority granted under subregulation (1)  –

(a) authorises its holder to have possession of such narcotic substances for the purpose for which the authority is issued and in such quantities as may be specified in the authority; and

(b) ceases to have effect when the person by whom it is held ceases to hold the appointment or employment specified in the authority.

(3)  [Regulation 35 Subregulation (3) amended by No. 23 of 2022, s. 55, Applied:24 Oct 2022] On an order in writing signed by the holder of a nurse's authority granted under subregulation (1) and upon production by the holder of the authority, a pharmacist may supply the holder of the authority with such narcotic substances and in such quantities as may be specified in the authority.

(4)  A person who has been granted a nurse's authority under this regulation must keep a narcotic substances register in accordance with regulation 18 .

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.