Freedom of Information Request – Ref: GHC-26082025-398362
Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information request. Please find our response below.
You asked:
Please let me know the patient group directive or other means by which paramedics are allowed to dispense dexamethasone without medical / doctor input at community hospitals, particularly Cinderford Community Hospital.
Our response:
The Trust has a Patient Group Direction (PGDs) that allows certain health care professionals, including Paramedics to administer (not supply) a dose of liquid dexamethasone to treat childhood croup. The process of developing and authorising PGDs is governed by the Patient Group Direction PGD Policy.
Please click on the link below to access the PDG – Administration of Dexamethasone 2mg/5ml Oral Solution, version 3, valid from 1st February 2023 to 31 January 2026.
Dexamethasone oral solution v3 PGD_Redacted
Next steps:
Should you have any queries in relation to our response, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you are unhappy with the response you have received in relation to your request and wish to ask us to review our response, you should write to:
Louise Moss
Head of Legal Services / Associate Director of Corporate Governance
c/o Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Edward Jenner Court
1010 Pioneer Avenue
Gloucester Business Park
Brockworth, GL3 4AW
E-mail: louise.moss@ghc.nhs.uk
If you are not content with the outcome of any review, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for further advice/guidance. Generally, the ICO will not consider your case unless you have exhausted your enquiries with the Trust which should include considering the use of the Trust’s formal complaints procedure. The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.