Important Londonwide CEO message, volume 2, number 14 - 22 December 2009
Patient Group Directions (PGDs) update – key points for Doctors and especially Practice Nurses
- The Londonwide LMCs’ view on PGDs is as published in the NHS London 091218 Swine Influenza update published with our agreement on 18 December, and is reproduced below. For obvious reasons this supersedes item 3 in message 12 of 11 December (What if there are no PGDs for under 5s?).
PGDs for swine flu vaccine
Pending a national template PGD template for swine flu vaccination in children, PCTs can make their own arrangements for developing a local PGD for swine flu vaccination of children. Some PCTs in London have already done this, and Londonwide LMCs has circulated an example from Brent PCT to GP practices. (This was circulated to you in my message 13, on 16 December).
GP practices should be working to either a PGD where available or, for non-prescribing nurses, a specific direction from the GP to administer the vaccine to a patient, to enable practice nurses to administer swine flu vaccines. Londonwide LMCs support the use of PGDs in general practices where they are recognised best practice. PCTs are encouraged to minimise the bureaucratic burden on practices of PGDs as far as they can. - The GPC is currently drafting updated guidance on Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and Patient Specific Directions (PSDs).
- For now, the above statement will serve as the Londonwide LMCs’ advice pending the publication of that guidance in due course. This will enable practice nurses to remain compliant with the latest NMC Standards for Medicine Management (2009).
- Please don’t forget to use flu@lmc.org.uk if you have any new concerns with any aspect of Swine Flu arrangements as this helps us tailor our advice to meet your needs.
Finally, on behalf of all at Londonwide LMCs, please accept our very best wishes and hopes for a well-earned rest over the Christmas period and a peaceful New Year.