As I understand it and I was speaking to Carol Bannister on the subject, the
most likely outcome of the consultative document is that OH nurses outside
of the NHS will have to be using PGD's in the very near future. Carol said
that the drug companies had all stated that they had pharmacists who could
provide the necessary signature for those OH nurses who did not have access
to an NHS pharmacy for same. For those of us who work at Universities with
medical schools or other NHS Trust connections I assume we would be able to
use those.
Any thoughts?
Anne
----- Original Message -----
From: Margaret Mercer <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2002 10:42 AM
Subject: Re: Issue of drugs
> Dear Anne et al,
>
> As I understand it Patient Group Directions are only for the NHS at
> present although there is a consultation document that proposes to extend
> this. They also require pharmacist input. However, this will not cover OH
> nurses outside the NHS/private hospital settings.
>
> I see this as confusing for OH nurses within the NHS as which law do they
> follow? All nurses in occupational health have a legal exemption in
> that they can administer and supply medicines in the workplace setting
> providing circumstances* are agreed and written. (Medicines Act and
> Prescription Only Medicines (human use) Order 1997 - Schedule 5 sections
> 2+3)
>
> The Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Ammendment Order 2000 was
> produced to clarify the administration and supply of medicines by health
> professionals under Patient Group Directions (formerly called "Group
> Protocols") as stated before this only applies to the NHS.
>
> In OH the written Circumstances* are the key to meeting the law and
> whether you call these standing order or PGD's is probably not really
> relevant. Although The UKCC/NMC guidance refers to PGD's which may have
> some bearing on what you prefer to call the written "circumstances"
>
> What we have done is use the format and the spirit of PGD's to tighten up
> our old standing order system and ensure a consisitent quality approach
> across all out sites. They have been written by / had input from a team
> of OH nurses and physicians. First we had to put together a formulary,
> ranging from emergency drugs, travel medicines, vaccines to some of the
> OTC medicines. We have called them PGD's. Happy to share, but let me
> know of a medication that is relevant to you.
>
> I have discussed this with the DOH after responding to a consultation
> document and have attached a copy of the e-mail below.
>
>
> Best Wishes
>
> Margaret
> Working together for a healthy business
>
> Margaret Mercer http://ohuk.unilever.com
> Senior Nursing Advisor (UK)
> Unilever plc
http://travelhealth.unilever.com
> Blackfriars
> London
http://ohlondon.unilever.com
> EC4P 4 BQ
>
> Tel: +44 (0) 20 7822 5995 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7822 6334 Mobile:
+44 (0)7802
> 462 660
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message----- -----Original Message-----
> From: Anne Beckerton [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, May 31, 2002 10:05 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Fw: Issue of drugs
>
> Hi guys,
> Whilst we are on the subject of the issue of drugs - has anyone yet
> written
> Patient Group Directions as apposed to Standing Orders as I understand
the
> day is nearly upon us when these will be needed. Obviously the next
> question
> is if anyone has can we have a look, otherwise I suppose I will have to
do
> it!
> > Anne Beckerton
> > University of Cambridge
> > Occupational Health Service Manager
> > 01223 336597
> >
>
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