A Sanctuary Care nurse from Derby is celebrating after becoming one of the country’s first nursing home nurses to qualify as a Non‑Medical Prescriber.
Judith Agbontaen, who joined Sherwood Forest Residential and Nursing Home in Normanton in 2001, is celebrating the completion of her Non‑Medical Prescribing course, funded by Sanctuary Care, at the University of Derby.
Judith was selected for a programme supported by the Department of Health and Social Care and Derbyshire/Nottingham ICB as part of a pilot launched for a selection of nurses in social care to undertake a Non-Medical Prescribing module, making her the first nurse in the country to achieve this qualification through the pilot.
This achievement means that moving forward, she will be able to prescribe medication for the care home’s residents, with clinical oversight from experienced prescribers within Sanctuary Care – a level of clinical autonomy very rarely seen in social care settings. Her achievement means even more timely clinical prescribing for residents who need medication, which is a significant advancement for the care home sector.
Judith shared her joy at her achievement:
''Since joining Sanctuary Care in 2021, it has been an amazing journey of growth, learning and progression, and I am so proud and deeply grateful to be working in a company that values our development and progression.
“I have been supported by an incredible team throughout my studies, and I am excited to use my skills to continually improve the quality of holistic, person-centred care our residents receive, and to give back to the company that invested so much in me. As an employee of Sanctuary Care, I believe the sky is my starting point.''
Speaking about the support she’s had every step of the way she added:
“I am so grateful to Sanctuary Care and everyone who has supported and mentored me. I feel very proud to be working for an organisation that has supported me in achieving this significant milestone in my career progression.”
Emily O’Hara, Director of Quality and Chief Nurse at not-for-profit Sanctuary Care, said:
“Judith’s achievement is an incredibly proud moment, not only for her personally but for the wider care sector.
“Nurses in social care have a wealth of expertise, and this demonstrates what can be achieved when we support their professional development and create opportunities for them to enhance their knowledge and skills, resulting in improved outcomes for people in our care. Judith has shown exceptional commitment throughout this programme, and this is a fantastic achievement.”
Judith’s achievement forms part of Sanctuary Care’s wider clinical strategy, championing nurses to work at the very top of their profession, enhancing resident outcomes, and setting new standards for the sector. The strategy is so pioneering in social care, that it won the Care of Older People Award in the Nursing Times Awards 2025, following which Sanctuary Care was named Best for Nursing Care at the Care Home Awards 2026.
