Fundamentals
Key advice on the fundamentals of PGDs and other legal mechanisms.
- Introduction to PGDs
- When PGDs can be used
- When not to use a PGD
- P and GSL medicines with PGDs
- Patient Specific Directions (PSD)
Development
Resources to aid understanding of the legal and governance requirements that exist for developing PGDs.
Development and governance resources
- How to develop a Patient Group Direction
- Planning for a PGD
- Writing a PGD
- Authorising and preparing to use a PGD
- Monitoring and reviewing a PGD in practice
Other development resources
- PGD planning explainer videos
- Including more than one medicine in a Patient Group Direction
- Inclusion of dose ranges in a single Patient Group Direction
- Including medicines with Risk Minimisation Measures (RMM) in PGDs
- Understanding why PGDs cannot be used for dose adjustments
- Off-label or unlicensed product use under HMR 2012 exemptions
- Medicines Shortages and Patient Group Directions
- Off label medicine use under a Patient Group Direction
- Unlicensed medicines and use of PGDs
- Supply and/or administration of Controlled Drugs under a PGD
- Mixing of medicines and Patient Group Directions
Use in general services and practice
Understanding how PGDs and legal mechanisms can be used in general services and practice, including use by different professions and trainee healthcare professionals.
- PGDs in practice explainer videos
- PGD supply and administration explainer videos
- Repeat supply or administration of medicines under PGD
- Delegation of roles under a PGD
- NHS prescription charges for PGDs or HMR 2012 exemptions
- Patient Group Direction use in remote consultations
- Using medicines at more than one location under a single PGD
- Labelling medicines supplied without a prescription
- Use of PGDs by trainee registered healthcare professionals
- Bank and agency staff and Patient Group Directions
Use in specific services and practice
Understanding and using PGDs and other legal mechanisms in specific services and practice.
- Understanding Patient Group Directions and Integrated Care Boards
- Patient Group Direction use in Primary Care Networks
- Patient Group Direction use in End of Life Care
- Legal provision of GSL and P medicines by registered midwives
- Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and abortifacients
- Using medicines under PGD as part of a clinical trial or study
- PGD use in Hospital at Home services, including Virtual Wards
- Administration of contrast agents under a PGD by multiple HCPs
- Legal mechanisms and contrast agents
Governance
Advice to guide local governance around implementing, managing, recording, and monitoring the use of PGDs and other legal mechanisms.
Development and governance resources
- How to develop a Patient Group Direction
- Planning for a PGD
- Writing a PGD
- Authorising and preparing to use a PGD
- Monitoring and reviewing a PGD in practice
Other governance resources
- Understanding roles and responsibilities of PGD signatories
- Managing Patient Group Directions following amendments or changes
- Extension of expiry date of a Patient Group Direction
- PGD use in services provided by multiple organisations
- Patient Group Directions in Complex Commissioning Scenarios
- Delegating PGD authorisation by a Local Authority
- Managing PGDs following organisational change
- Authorising Independent Healthcare Provider (IHP) PGDs
- Patient Group Directions and electronic record systems
- Auditing Patient Group Directions
- Retaining legal mechanism documentation
Occupational health services
Resources to explain the specific legal mechanisms that apply to medicines and vaccine supply or administration in occupational health services (OHS).
- Using PGDs in occupational health services (OHS)
- Occupational health services explainer videos
- Using written instructions in occupational health services
- Seasonal influenza vaccination and occupational health services
- Influenza vaccine written instruction templates for adoption
- Options for GP practices providing influenza vaccination to staff
- Occupational health services (OHS) and medicines mechanisms
Learning and updating knowledge
Resources to aid learning and development for those new to PGDs and legal mechanisms, or those wanting to update their knowledge.
- Patient Group Directions e-learning programme
- Pharmacy technicians working under Patient Group Directions
- PGD explainer videos
Webinars
Developing templates and the MGDO programme
Guidance to help understanding of how national PGD templates are developed under the Medicines Governance Do Once (MGDO) Programme.
- About the SPS Medicines Governance Do Once Programme
- Implementing the National Patient Group Direction (PGD) Templates
- Considerations for developing national PGD templates
- SPS National Patient Group Direction (PGD) exemplar templates
National PGD templates
National PGD templates are developed with experts for clinical specialties. They reduce duplication and variation and improve consistency of care.