I read with interest that the largest suppliers of PGDs has folded with immediate effect. They have trained over 2000 people, and issued certificates of PGD service provision. This is begging the question why? Have they fallen fowl of CQC? Have they gone into receivership? Has a patient come to harm? Were their PGDs legal? Has the insurance company pulled the plug?
There is no readily available information to be found. They just folded their service on the 10th of May.
What due diligence did the pharmacists do before they went to have their training with Pharmacy PGD? I suspect not a lot. So, what do you find when you start to look at the bona fides of a company and where would you look.
Check their website and they state they were registered with CQC, so then check the CQC website you will find that they were registered in 2013, however have not been inspected? But I do wonder if they may have been recently? Their Registered Manager is Dr Tony Steel who is not allowed to practice in the UK when you check his profile in the GMC register. In addition when you check companies house, they are registered and not in receivership.
So where do you go now if you want to obtain a new set of PGDs? You do not want to fall into the old trap.
Firstly, know your stuff!
- Qualify your requirements and think about who in your pharmacy or clinic will be delivering the service to the patients and have you checked their CPD, and competence?
- look at current guidelines https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/patient-group-directions-pgds/patient-group-directions-who-can-use-them
- Identity a few providers
- Ask them who signs off their PGDs and check the bona fides of these people. Are they on the GMC, GPhC register or NMC registers for instance.
- Check out the company on Companies house. Beware of start-ups, look for companies with a track record if possible.
- Ask for an example of PGD and check it out yourself.
- Ask for a reference and take it up.
- Check the PGD yourself against the SPC and NICE guidelines.