BNSSG PGDs
August 2021 – Updated Jan 31st 2024
- Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) ICB have commissioned community pharmacy to deliver the following Patient Group Directions (PGDs)
- Hydrocortisone – Children aged 1 to 10 and use on the face in patients over 1 year
- Chloramphenicol drops and ointment from 31 days to under 2 years old
- The PGD allows a pharmacist to issue a prescription only medicine (POM) in certain clinical situations without the need for a prescription
- Patients can access the service via the following routes
- Can self-present by walking into the pharmacy
- Referred from the GP
- Either using the GP Pharmacy First Service
- Informal referral
- NHS111 referral
- UTC /ED
Jan 31st 2024 – BNSSG have decommissioned the UTI, Impetigo and Sort Throat PGD as of 31.01.2024 when they became part of the NHS Pharmacy First Service.
June 2024 – NEW SERVICE OTITIS EXTERNA
- The new local BNSSG ICB Service will cover Otitis Externa / inflammatory conditions of the external ear canal where a secondary infection is suspected and will allow the pharmacist if appropriate to dispense Otomize ear drops using a PGD. In line with the Pharmacy First Service, Pharmacists using the local BNSSG Otitis Externa service will be paid for delivering the service whether the patient purchases an OTC medicine such as Ear Calm, is given advice only or Otomize is given.
- The Otomize PGD is valid for adults and children aged over 12 years with moderate/severe symptoms which are not managed by conservative treatment. The PGD is not intended to replace self-care and purchase of OTC medicines but offers an alternative or additional option where clinically appropriate.
- Please note that FIRST LINE Treatment for Otitis Externa is analgesia for pain relief, advice about how to keep the ears clean and dry and potentially offering over the counter acetic acid 2% ear drops or spray to people aged 12 and over. In line with Pharmacy First patients over 12 who are offered acetic acid 2% drops/spray will be expected to purchase the product themselves.
- ACTION
- The new service will be available to all pharmacies from Monday 3rd June on PharmOutcomes.
- Reimbursement – in line with other local BNSSG PGD’s and Pharmacy First Payments the payment will be £15/consultation.
- Please note that the current BNSSG LES for PGD’s states that the payment is an additional £3 on top of the standard rate. This was only applicable to the pilot. A contract variation will be sent to you by BNSSG ICB to reflect this.
Finding a Pharmacy
The pharmacy’s highlighted in Green on this map are accredited to provide the PGD’s. Please contact the pharmacy to confirm availability of this service.
Information for the pharmacy to go live
For a pharmacy to go live on the local BNSSG service they must have attended the face to face training session. From there, the lead pharmacist will be expected to cascade the information to the rest of the pharmacy team and other pharmacists working in the pharmacy.
If you were unable to attend the face to face training it has been recorded and by watching the video you will still meet the criteria for attending face to face training.
Face to face training video
The training evening slides can be found here
PGD’s
Print off and have the PGDs available in the pharmacy – available on BNSSG ICB portal.
Prerequisite training for (local BNSSG service) the pharmacist to complete prior to delivering the service – all online
| Complete the following online training | |||
| CPPE Level 2 Safeguarding | CPPE Consultation Skills | CPPE Sepsis Training | eLFH Antimicrobial Resistance Training |
| Read the following CCG guidelines | |||
| Antimicrobial Stewardship | Chloramphenicol guidelines | ||
Support Material for GP practices
Archived letters and other information
Update June 2022
Please note that on the 30th June BNSSG CCG will cease to exist and will transition to an Integrated Health Board (IHB). The attached letter highlights that there will be no change and pharmacists should continue using the CCG PGDs until informed otherwise.
Comm Pharm CCG Transition to ICB Letter June 2022 FINAL
Update May 2022
Community Pharmacy PGD Extension Letter May 2022 PB DC HW
Update February 22
The CCG have issued a letter to extend the current PGD’s due to expire in Feb 22 until the new ones are issued . Please print off the attached letter and file it with your PGD’s as evidence of the extension.
Community Pharmacy PGD Extension Letter Feb 2022 PB DC HW
Sign each PGD in the pharmacy you are working in
