Patient Group Directions :: YourSpace Mersey Care

A Patient Group Direction (PGD) is a legal, written instruction that allows certain registered healthcare professionals to supply and/or administer a medicine to a defined group of patients without a prescription.

PGDs are not prescriptions and should only be used where they clearly benefit patient care.

2. When should PGDs be used?

PGDs should be used only in specific situations where:

There is a clear need to treat groups of patients quickly and safely
Patient-specific prescribing is not practical

They should not replace routine prescribing.

3. Can I use clinical judgement outside the PGD criteria?

No.

You must follow the PGD exactly, including:

Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Dose, route and quantity
Any restrictions listed

You cannot apply clinical judgement to override the PGD.

4. Do I need to sign a PGD before using it?

Yes.

You must:

Be authorised and signed up to the PGD before use
Only use the PGD once you have signed the current version
Ensure you are trained and competent

The PGD is not valid for you until you are authorised.

5. How do I know I am using the latest version?

You are responsible for ensuring that:

You are working from the current approved version
You have signed that specific version
The most up to date version is available on the intranet

Do not use:

Outdated copies
Locally saved versions that may not be current

6. Can I delegate any part of the PGD process?

No.

PGDs cannot be delegated. The practitioner working under the PGD must:

Assess the patient
Make the decision
Supply/administer the medicine
Complete the documentation

The whole episode of care must be undertaken by you.

7. How should I supply medicines under a PGD?

You must supply medicines exactly as specified in the PGD, including:

The quantity to be supplied
Any instructions for use
Ensure clear patient advice is given

Important:

Do not split packs or boxes
If a full pack is supplied but not required:
- Clearly explain to the patient how much to take
- Advise the patient to return unused medicines to a community pharmacy for safe disposal

8. What information must I record?

You should follow PGD documentation requirements and record:

Patient details
Confirmation they meet PGD criteria
Medicine supplied/administered
Dose and quantity
Your name

Accurate documentation is essential for governance, audit, and patient safety.

9. Should I use an EMIS template?

Yes, where available.

Use the approved EMIS template for PGDs if your service has one
This supports:
- Consistent documentation
- Safer recording
- Easier audit

If no template is available:

Follow your local documentation standard

10. What are my responsibilities when working under a PGD?

You must:

Be appropriately trained and competent
Be authorised for that PGD
Work within the exact scope of the PGD
Keep up to date with:
- PGD updates
- Trust/Service policies

You should also:

Raise any concerns about PGDs or their use
Participate in audit and review where required

11. What happens if a patient does not meet the PGD criteria?

You must not supply or administer the medicine under the PGD.

Instead:

Refer to an appropriate prescriber
Follow your local escalation pathway

12. Why is governance around PGDs important?

PGDs are a legal framework under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and must be used safely and consistently.

Good governance ensures:

Patient safety
Legal compliance
Consistent practice across services

13. What should I do if something goes wrong when using a PGD?

Any incident, near miss, or concern relating to the use of a PGD must be:

Reported on the Trust incident reporting system (Radar)
Reported as soon as possible after the event

This includes (but is not limited to):

Using the wrong PGD version
Not following PGD criteria
Documentation issues
Supply or administration errors

Reporting incidents:

Supports patient safety and learning
Helps identify themes or system issues
Ensures the Trust meets its governance and legal responsibilities

Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and Patient Specific Directions (PSDs)

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