Support the introduction of patient group directions for clinical and biomedical scientists
The Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) is calling on healthcare scientists, professional bodies, NHS organisations, and supporters of healthcare science to help progress an important and long overdue change to medicines legislation.
For almost six years, proposals to enable appropriately trained clinical scientists and biomedical scientists to supply and administer medicines under patient group directions (PGDs) have been under consideration. Despite a positive consultation process and support from the Commission on Human Medicines for diagnostic PGDs, the necessary legislative changes have yet to be implemented.
Why does this matter?
Healthcare scientists are central to the delivery of modern diagnostic services across pathology, genomics, imaging, physiological sciences, and many other specialties. Their work underpins the majority of clinical decisions made throughout the NHS.
However, current legislation means that many highly trained and regulated healthcare scientists are unable to supply or administer medicines under PGDs, even when this would improve efficiency, streamline patient pathways, and enhance the patient experience.
Introducing diagnostic PGDs for clinical scientists and biomedical scientists would:
- Support faster and more efficient diagnostic pathways.
- Reduce unnecessary delays in patient investigations.
- Improve access to diagnostic services in community and neighbourhood settings.
- Enable better use of the highly skilled healthcare science workforce.
- Increase productivity while maintaining robust governance and patient safety standards.
- Support earlier diagnosis, prevention, and risk prediction.
- Contribute directly to the ambitions of the UK’s NHS plans.
Importantly, this change is not about creating new roles. It is about removing unnecessary procedural barriers that prevent healthcare scientists from working to the full extent of their training and competence.
Supporting patients and NHS services
Across the NHS, healthcare scientists already play a critical role in delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care. Granting access to diagnostic PGDs would allow appropriately trained professionals to undertake activities that are often integral to diagnostic procedures without requiring additional clinical staff involvement for routine medicine administration.
This would create more seamless services for patients while helping NHS organisations make the best use of their workforce.
Time for action
The Academy for Healthcare Science Professional Bodies Council has written to government calling for the implementation of diagnostic PGDs for clinical scientists and biomedical scientists without further delay, while continuing to consider the evidence relating to therapeutic PGDs.
The case for reform is strong, the potential benefits for patients are clear, and the healthcare science community is united in its support.
How you can help
We encourage all healthcare scientists, professional bodies, employers, patients, and supporters to raise awareness of this important issue.
Resources available
To support local engagement, resources are available below, including:
- Social media graphic and messaging to share across your networks.
- This graphic can also be used as a Poster for display within hospitals, laboratories, diagnostic centres, universities, and healthcare organisations.
Sign the UK Parliament petition
You can also support this campaign by signing and sharing the UK Parliament petition calling for legislative change to enable appropriately trained clinical scientists and biomedical scientists to use patient group directions.
Petition link:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/773603#main-content
Together, we can help ensure healthcare scientists are empowered to deliver the best possible care for patients and contribute fully to the future of NHS services across the UK.
