A Patient Group Direction (PGD) is a written direction, signed by a doctor or dentist, and by a pharmacist, relating to supply and administration only, of a prescription-only medicine (PoM) or pharmacy medicine (P) to persons generally (subject to specific exclusions set out in the legislation). PGDs can be authorised by Health Boards in Scotland and other NHS bodies.

A PGD must not be confused with a Written Direction which must be patient specific.

In most cases, the most appropriate clinical care will be provided on an individual basis by a specific prescriber to a specific individual patient. PGDs for the supply and/or administation of medicines should only be considered where it would offer a benefit to patient care without compromising safety in any way. This is best achieved by engaging representatives of all the health care professionals involved, including a representative from the professional group expected to supply or administer medicines under the direction. A senior representative of each profession should be reponsible for ensuring the suitability and competence of the professionals operating within the scheme.

Patient Group Direction Policy
GPs who do not wish to develop their own PGDs can authorise nurses and appropriate healthcare professionals to administer/supply medicines under an approved NHS Grampian PGD by "adopting" the PGD using the appropriate documentation. Development of any new PGD should be in accordance with the NHS QIS Best Practice Statement ~ March 2006 - Patient Group Directions.

Patient Group Directions Policy 

Link opens in new windowBlank PGD template [intranet only] - please use when developing/updating a PGD.

new[0530] Link opens in new windowGuidance for the use of Patient Group Directions (PGD's), Review Date: November 2014 - PDF 241KB

A


[0483] Link opens in new windowAdrenaline (Epinephrine) in cases of suspected Anaphylactic/Anaphylactoid reactions by Qualified Health Professionals Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: November 2013 - PDF 423KB
[0431] Link opens in new windowAdrenaline (Epinephrine) By Nurses In The Management Of Cardiac Arrest In Coronary Care Units In NHS Grampian, Review Date: January 2013 - PDF 312KB
[0432] Link opens in new windowAtropine In The Event Of Life Threatening Bradycardias By Trained Nurses In Coronary Care Units In NHS Grampian, Review Date: January 2013 - PDF 307KB
new[0525] Link opens in new windowAzithromycinfor the treatment of chlamydia by nurse specialists, midwives or registered nurses working within NHS Grampian, Review Date: September 2014 - PDF 310KB
 
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B


[0451] Link opens in new windowPatient Group Direction For The Administration Of Statens Serum Institut (SSI) Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Vaccine By Nurses And Midwives Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: July 2013 - 369KB (This PGD contains information that is specific to Danish Statens Serum Institute (SSI) BCG Vaccine  and should be used only when using SSI vaccine).  See Policies section for protocol for administration of SSI Tuberculin PPD for Mantoux testing.
Benoxinate eye drops for ocular anaesthesia - see 'O'
Buscopan in GI endoscopy and barium enema  - see 'E' - Endoscopy PGDs above
Buccastem by nurses in day surgery and short stay units  - 'P
 
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C


[0490] Cervarix Black Triangle symbol indicating that the CHM and MHRA are intensively monitoring this product see 'H' human papillomavirus vaccine
Combined Oral Contraceptives and Cerazette (desogestrel pill) - See Family Planning PGDs  
[0332] Link opens in new windowChloramphenicol eye drops 0.5% under the Minor Ailment Service by Community Pharmacists Working Within NHS Grampian , Review Date: April 2012 - PDF 267KB
[0526]  Link opens in new windowCholera Vaccine By Nurses And Pharmacists Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: August 2014 - PDF 160KB
[0507] Link opens in new windowLocal Corticosteriod Injections and/or Lidocaine by chartered physiotherapists, Review Date: March 2014 - PDF 188KB
[0527] Link opens in new windowCyclopentolate by Orthoptists working within the Children's Eye Clinic, RACH, Review Date: July 2014 - PDF 293KB
 
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D


Depo-Provera contraceptive injection and Desogestrel Pill (Cerazette®) - see Family Planning PGDs
[0513] Link opens in new window Booster Dose Of DTaP/IPV (Infanrix-IPV®) By Nurses Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: May 2014 - PDF 496KB
new[0536] Link opens in new windowDTaP/IPV/Hib (Pediacel®) by nurses working within NHS Grampian - Review Date: November 2014 - PDF 342KB
new  Link opens in new windowTemporary programme of pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination of pregnant women [0540] Patient Group Direction for the Administration Of Repevax® Vaccine To Pregnant And Newly Delivered Women By Midwives And Nurses Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: 30th April 2013 - PDF 271KB
new[0565] Link opens in new windowLow dose diphtheria, tetanus, five component acellular pertussis and inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine dTaP/IPV - Repevax®);( By Nurses Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: March 2015 - PDF 337KB
new[0543] Link opens in new windowLow dose diphtheria, tetanus and inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine dT/IPV (Revaxis®) by nurses and pharmacists working within NHS Grampian - Review Date: November 2014 - PDF 332KB
new[0561] Link opens in new windowAdministration Of Domperidone To Prevent Vomiting Following Emergency Hormonal Contraception By Nurses And Midwives Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: March 2015 - PDF 304KB
new[0537]  Link opens in new window Doxycycline by nurses working in Occupational Health and pharmacists working within NHS Grampian for the prophylaxis of malaria, Review Date: November 2014 - PDF 132KB
 
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E


ellaOne® Black Triangle symbol indicating that the CHM and MHRA are intensively monitoring this product see - see Family Planning PGDs
[0371] Link opens in new windowEMLA® Cream prior to IV cannulation or venepuncture, Review Date June 2012 - PDF 242KB
Etonorgestrel Contraceptive Implant (Nexplanon/Implanon®) and Evra® Black Triangle symbol indicating that the CHM and MHRA are intensively monitoring this productcombined contraceptive transdermal patch - see Family Planning PGDs
[0457] Link opens in new windowENT Nurse Practitioner Formulary By ENT Nurse Practitioners Working Within Dr Gray's Hospital NHS Grampian, Review Date: July 2013 - PDF 337KB

Endoscopy PGDs - These PGDs must not be used by staff unless specific training has been undertaken
[0452] Link opens in new windowPatient Group Direction For The Administration Of Hyoscine Butylbromide Injection (Buscopan®) 20mg/mL For The Treatment Of Acute Spasm During Upper/Lower GI Endoscopy And As A Prophylactic Anti-Peristaltic Agent In Radiological Procedures By Endoscopy Nurse Practitioners/GI and MR Radiographers Working Within NHS Grampian, Review DAte: July 2013 - PDF 347KB
[0435] Link opens in new windowED-PGD ~ Lidocaine spray for oropharangeal surface anaesthesia by nurses to patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy, Review Date: March 2013 - PDF 178KB
[0437] Link opens in new windowED-PGD ~ Midazolam And Flumazenil Injection By Nurse Practitioners Working Within NHS Grampian To Patients Undergoing Upper/Lower GI Endoscopy And Insertion Of Central Venous Catheters, Review Date: March 2013 - PDF 372KB

 
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F



Family Planning PGDs - These PGDs must not be used by staff unless specific training in contraception has been undertaken.
 
new[0462] Link opens in new windowFP-PGD ~ Combined Hormonal Contraception - Pill or Transdermal Patch, Review Date: January 2015 - 117KB
[0460]   Link opens in new windowFP-PGD ~ Depo-Provera contraceptive injection, Review Date: October 2013- PDF 354KB
[0406] Link opens in new windowInsertion of Etonorgestrel Contraceptive Implant (Nexplanon® Black Triangle symbol indicating that the CHM and MHRA are intensively monitoring this product), Review Date: November 2012 - PDF 200KB
(also see PGD below for s/c lidocaine for insertion/removal of implant)
[0337] Link opens in new windowFP-PGD ~ Supply of NuvaRing®, Black Triangle symbol indicating that the CHM and MHRA are intensively monitoring this product Review Date: October 2012 - PDF 373KB
new[0562] Link opens in new windowFP-PGD ~ Lidocaine 2% For Insertion/Removal Of The 68mg Etonogestrel Contraceptive Implant By Nurses And Midwives Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: March 2015 - PDF 314KB
[0387] Link opens in new window FP-PGD ~ Ulipristal (ellaOne® ) Review Date: January 2013 - 237KB
(a PGD for single dose domperidone anti-emetic is also available see D above)
[0461]  Link opens in new windowFP-PGD ~ Progestogen Only Pill ,  Review Date: November 2013 - PDF 353KB

[0333] Link opens in new windowFluconazole 150mg under the Minor Ailment Service By Community Pharmacists Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: April 2012 - PDF 255KB
Flumazenil injection used prior to upper/lower GI endoscopy - see 'E' - Endoscopy PGDs above
[0511] Link opens in new windowFluorescein Sodium 2% Single Dose Eye Drops And Fluorets® Paper Strips For Corneal Staining By Nurses Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: May 2014 - PDF 474KB
 
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H


[0447] Link opens in new windowHealthy Hoose Patient Group Direction for medicines administered or supplied for minor illness by pharmacists and nurse practitioners, Reveiw Date: June 2013 - PDF 500KB
new[0544] Link opens in new windowHepatitis A Vaccine By Nurses and Pharmacists Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: November 2014 - PDF 328KB
[0468] Link opens in new windowCombined Inactivated Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccine , Review Date: October 2013 - PDF 358KB
[0467] Link opens in new windowCombined Hepatitis A and Typhoid Vaccine by nurses and pharmacists working within NHS Grampian , Review Date: August 2013 - PDF 526KB
new[0558] Link opens in new windowHepatitis B Vaccine By Registered Nurses And Pharmacists Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: March 2015 - PDF 531KB
[0519] Link opens in new windowHaemophilus Influenzae Type B and Meningococcal C Conjugate vaccine (Hib/MenC) by nurses working within NHS Grampian, Review Date: July 2014 - PDF 317KB
Hyoscine Butylbromide Injection (Buscopan®) for acute spasm during upper/lower GI Endoscopy and Radiological Procedures - see 'E' - Endoscopy PGDs above
[0490] Link opens in new windowHuman Papillomavirus Vaccine (Cervarix® Black Triangle symbol indicating that the CHM and MHRA are intensively monitoring this product) By Nurses Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: January 2014 - PDF 291KB 
[0529] Link opens in new windowHuman Papillomavirus Vaccine (Gardasil® Black Triangle symbol indicating that the CHM and MHRA are intensively monitoring this product) By Nurses Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: July 2014 - PDF 475KB
 
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I


Ibuprofen to children in hospitals for minor injury or pyrexia - see 'P' - 'Paracetamol or Ibuprofen'
Implanon® - see Family Planning PGDs
new[0533] Influenza vaccine Link opens in new windowNurse and Midwife administration, Review Date:  September 2013 - PDF 383KB
new[0534] Influenza vaccine Link opens in new windowPharmacist administration, Review Date: September 2013 - PDF 383KB
new[0535] Influenza Vaccine By Nurses Working Within NHS Grampian Link opens in new windowOccupational Health Service, Review Date: September 2013 - PDF 363KB 
Infanrix-IPV for booster dose see DTaP/IPV
 
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J


[0458] Link opens in new windowPatient Group Direction For The Administration Of Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (Ixiaro®) By Nurses And Pharmacists Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: July 2013 - PDF190KB
 
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L


[0405] Link opens in new windowLevonorgestrel (Levonelle® 1500) as emergency hormonal contraception by nurses and midwives, Review Date: January 2013 - PDF 253KB
(a PGD for single dose domperidone anti-emetic is also available see D above)
Lidocaine spray for upper GI endoscopy - see 'E' - Endoscopy PGDs above
[0501] Link opens in new windowLidocaine HCl 1% , for insertion/removal of central venous catheters, Review Date: March 2014 - PDF 251KB
[0531] Link opens in new windowLidocaine hydrochloride injection 2% w/v by registered nurses trained in the insertion of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes working within NHS Grampian, Review Date: August 2014 - PGF 334KB
 
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M


new[0539] Link opens in new windowMalarone® or Malarone® Paediatric For The Prophylaxis Of Malaria By Nurses Working In Occupational Health And Pharmacists Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: November 2014 - PDF 462KB
new[0542] Link opens in new windowMefloquine By Nurses Working in Occupational Health And Pharmacists Working Within NHS Grampian For The Prophylaxis Of Malaria, Review Date: November 2014 - PDF 328KB
[0440] Link opens in new windowMeasles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine By Midwives, Nurses And Pharmacists Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: April 2013 - PDF 199KB
[0426] Link opens in new window Meningococcal C Conjugate Vaccine By Nurses And Midwives Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: January 2013 - PDF 326KB
new[0528] Meningococcal ACW135Y Vaccine By Nurses And Pharmacists Working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: September 2014 - PDF 342KB
for Men C with Hib see 'H' above
for Midazolam prior to and during upper/lower GI endoscopy - see 'E' - Endoscopy PGDs above
[0384] Link opens in new windowPGD for the administration or supply of medicines for the treatment of minor injuries in NHS Grampian community hospital casualty departments by nurses working within NHS Grampian - Review Date: October 2012 - PDF 292KB
[0438] Link opens in new windowPGD For The Administration Of Medicines By Midwives Working Within NHS Grampian As Included In The Midwives PGD Formulary, Review Date: November 2013 - PDF 427KB
new[0521] Link opens in new windowPGD For The Administration And Supply Of Medicines By Midwives Working Within NHS Grampian As Included In The National Midwives PGD Formulary, Review Date: August 2014 - PDF 1.01MB
 
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N


new[0520] Link opens in new windowNaloxone injection in opioid overdose for patients aged 12 years and over by nurses and midwives working within NHS Grampian, Review Date: July 2014 - PDF 334KB
[0500]  Link opens in new windowNaloxone supply by appropriately registered nurses and pharmacists to individuals at risk of opioid overdose in NHS Grampian, Review Date: June 2013 - PDF 152KB
Nexplanon® Black Triangle symbol indicating that the CHM and MHRA are intensively monitoring this product (etonorgestrel contraceptive implant) - see Family Planning PGDs
NuvaRing® Black Triangle symbol indicating that the CHM and MHRA are intensively monitoring this product - see Family Planning PGDs
 
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O


[0512] Link opens in new windowOxybuprocaine 0.4% w/v single use eye drops (Benoxinate®) by nurses working within NHS Grampian for ocular anaesthesia prior to removal of foreign bodies from the eye, Review Date: May 2014 - PDF 476KB
 
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P


For Pediacel® see 'D' above DTaP/IPV/Hib
For the temporary programme of pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination of pregnant women see 'D' above dTaP/IPV
Link opens in new windowParacetamol in day surgery and short stay units within NHS Grampian, Review Date: June 2009 - PDF 203KB
[0456] Link opens in new windowParacetamol or Ibuprofen to children in hospitals for minor injury or pyrexia, Version 2.1, Review Date: November 2012 - PDF 589KB
new[0523] Link opens in new windowPhosphate Enema adminstration by nurses working within NHS Grampian to patients prior to undergoing bowel investigations, Review Date: July 2014 - PDF 353KB
new[0546] Link opens in new windowPicolax® Administration/Supply By Registered Nurses working Within NHS Grampian, Review Date: December 2014 - PDF 332KB
new[0502] Link opens in new windowPneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) (Prevenar 13®) Black Triangle symbol indicating that the CHM and MHRA are intensively monitoring this product By Nurses and Health Visitors, Review Date: July 2014 - PDF 361KB.
new[0522] Link opens in new windowPneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV) by nurses and pharmacists working within NHS Grampian, Review Date; July 2014 - PDF 323KB
[0196] Link opens in new windowBuccal prochlorperazine tablets (Buccastem®) by nurses in day surgery and short stay units within NHS Grampian, Review Date: June 2009 - PDF 201KB
new[0545] Link opens in new windowPodophyllotoxin by nurses working within the NHS Grampian sexual health service, Review Date: November 2014 - PDF 310KB
 
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R


new[0524] Link opens in new windowRabies vaccine pre-exposure prophylactic administration by nurses and pharmacists working within NHS Grampian , Review Date: August 2014 - PDF 171KB
For Repevax (including temporary programme of pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination of pregnant women) see 'D' above dTaP/IPV
For Revaxis see 'D' above dT/IPV
 
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S


[0439] Link opens in new windowSalbutamol Unit Dose Vials by nurses working within NHS Grampian, Review Date: August 2013 - PDF 489KB
[0481] Link opens in new windowSalbutamol via a large volume spacer by nurses and midwives working within NHS Grampian, Review Date: October 2013 - PDF 536KB
new[0516] Link opens in new windowSodium Chloride (0.9%) via nebulisation for the treatment of pulmonary secretion retention by physiotherapists working within NHS Grampian, Review date: September 2014 - 309KB
new[0517] Link opens in new windowSodium Chloride 0.9% injection for flushing intravenous catheters/cannulae by certified Healthcare Professionals working within NHS Grampian, Review Date: September 2014 - PDF 329KB
new[0508] Link opens in new windowSodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion during haemodialysis treatment, Review Date: March 2014 - PDF 295KB
new[0267] PGD for the administration of medicines included in the  Link opens in new windowSymptomatic Relief Formulary, Review Date: September 2014 - PDF 363KB
 
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T


[0493] Link opens in new windowHuman Tetanus Immunoglobulin, Review Date: January 2014 - PDF 430KB
new[0556] Link opens in new windowTick-Borne Encephalitis vaccine, Review Date: March 2015 - PDF 509KB
 for Japenese Encephalitis Vaccine (Ixiaro®) see 'J'
[0466] Link opens in new windowTyphoid vaccine for administration by nurses and pharmacists working within NHS Grampian, Review Date: August 2013 - PDF 526KB
For combined Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccine see H above
 
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U


Ulipristal - see Family Planning PGDs
 
 

V


[0464] Link opens in new windowVaricella vaccine to non-immune adult healthcare workers by nurses working within NHS Grampian Occupational Health, Review Date: August 2013 (PDF 517KB)
 

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