National patient group direction website launched
A website that will form a national resource on patient group directions (PGDs) is to be launched within the next few months. “It will be a central place where all of us can look for help and support to put PGDs in place,” said Beth Taylor, specialist principal pharmacist, Southwark Primary Care Trust, London.
The website is being funded by the Department of Health and is being
developed by a team at Guy’s Hospital in London. One of the team’s
members, Chi Wong, said that the website will contain model templates
along with news about PGDs, a discussion forum, frequently asked questions
about PGDs and links to resources.
Speaking at a prescribing conference in London in October, Ms Taylor
explained that PGDs are one of an increasing number of tools pharmacists
have to improve patients’ access to medicines. “They are
useful in areas where health care happens in a predictable fashion,” she
said.
“The PGD has to be crystal clear about what is included. There
is no flexibility; the parameters for providing the drug have to be defined,” she
said. “They are not really a suitable tool when clinical flexibility
is required.”
Ruth Minton, nurse consultant for cardiac care at Dartford & Gravesham
NHS Trust, added that PGDs are a useful adjunct to supplementary prescribing.
Meeting report, p694 |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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