Aim To gain consensus on the patient assessment skills (PAS) required by pharmacist independent prescribers (PIPs) prescribing immunomodulators (IMIDs) in myeloma across National Health Service Scotland. Methods This was a two-phase study which used nominal group technique (NGT) to gain local consensus followed by a two-round eDelphi questionnaire to gain national consensus across all cancer networks. Setting This project was conducted across the three cancer networks within NHS Scotland: South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN); West of Scotland Cancer Network (WoSCAN) and North Cancer Alliance (NCA). Subjects Participants were invited from each cancer network (SCAN, WoSCAN and NCA) and included haematology consultants, haematology specialist registrars, haematology advanced nurse practitioners and haematology pharmacists. Results There were five participants in the NGT. Twenty-two out of 31 PAS gained local consensus, seven PAS did not gain consensus and two PAS were deemed irrelevant. There were 12 and 14 participants in round one and two of the eDelphi questionnaire, respectively. Twenty-nine PAS were included in the first-round questionnaire and 21 gained consensus. The remaining eight PAS were included in round two where seven did not achieve consensus and one achieved disagreement consensus. Conclusion This research outlines 21 PAS required for PIPs to prescribe IMIDs for myeloma patients according to haematology specialists in Scotland. Discussion on PAS without consensus showed that the PIPs would have a shared responsibility with the consultant. This work should inform the development of a competency framework to allow training of PIPs in Scotland. Some PAS could be transferrable for PIPs prescribing SACT for other haematological malignancies
