National Reproductive Health Patient Group Direction (PGD) Templates launched

The FSRH has been working with the Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) and other specialist stakeholders to produce National Patient Group Direction (PGD) templates for medicines commonly used within reproductive services.

The aim of these PGD templates is to produce a consistent presentation which has been reviewed by specialists within reproductive health. They are aligned with current national guidance, with both legislative and clinical parameters having been fully considered. It is hoped that these templates will save time and significantly reduce workload of commissioners and services by avoiding unnecessary duplication of work across the country.

The PGD templates will need to be authorised for use within the local service and can be adapted to reflect local policies, commissioning arrangements if necessary .

The following PGD templates are available:

• Supply and/or administration of levonorgestrel 1500micrograms tablet(s) for emergency contraception

• Supply and/or administration of ulipristal acetate 30mg tablet for emergency contraception

• Supply of a progestogen only contraceptive pill (POP)

• Supply of a combined oral hormonal contraceptive (COC)

• Supply of combined hormonal contraceptive transdermal patch

• Supply of combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring

• Supply and/or administration of subcutaneous medroxyprogesterone acetate (SC-DMPA) injection

• Administration of intramuscular (IM) medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injection

• Insertion of the Progestogen-Only Intra-Uterine System (IUS)

Download the Patient Group Direction templates from the Specialist Pharmacy Service website.

Implementation guide
The Specialist Pharmacy Service has also released and up-to-date work-plan and an implementation guide to support organisations who are adopting the national PGDs. templates. 

Dr Cindy Farmer, who has been co-leading FSRH’s input along with Michelle Jenkins commented:

“We are really pleased have to produced these PGDs, we know that many commissioners are looking for a national template that they can use locally. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the delivery of contraceptive services, so it is really important that commissioners/employers ensure women can still access the contraceptives”.