The course lead mentioned that health care workers can’t give vaccinations unless a registered healthcare professional has gained informed consent from the patient (as well as a PSD).
I’ve tried to implicate this where I work but the practice manager would like to see the new guidance so we can update our policies and I can’t find anything online?
Understanding consent requirements for vaccinations delivered by non‑registered healthcare workers is essential for safe, compliant immunisation practice in primary care. Current national guidance confirms that health care workers (HCWs) cannot administer vaccines unless a registered healthcare professional has first obtained valid, informed consent and issued an appropriate Patient Specific Direction (PSD).
This clarification appears in several authoritative sources, including:
- UKHSA National Minimum Standards for Immunisation Training (2025) – page 7 outlines the updated wording on consent and delegation.
- UKHSA advice on consent to immunisation – reinforces that consent must be gained by a registered professional before a PSD is enacted.
- BMA guidance on provision of vaccinations by non‑registered healthcare workers – provides practical advice on managing consent, delegation and governance.
- Local Medical Committee (LMC) guidance from Leicester, Surrey & Sussex – summarises how practices should implement consent processes and update policies.
- Focus on Provision of Vaccinations by Non‑Registered Healthcare Workers – clarifies legal responsibilities, governance and safe delegation.
Together, these documents confirm that HCWs may administer vaccines only after a registered clinician has assessed the patient, confirmed suitability, gained informed consent, and authorised the administration via a PSD. This ensures legal compliance, patient safety, and alignment with national immunisation standards.
If your practice manager requires evidence to update local policies, the documents listed above provide the most up‑to‑date and nationally recognised guidance. They outline:
- What constitutes valid informed consent
- The responsibilities of registered healthcare professionals
- The legal status of PSDs
- Delegation boundaries for HCWs
- Governance, documentation and safety‑netting requirements
These resources collectively support the implementation of safe, compliant immunisation processes within primary care settings.
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