1

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Nurse with Continuing Responsibility	Nurse with 24 hours continuing responsibility for the ward, department or patient group. This will also include caseload holders in the community setting.
Nurse in Charge of Ward	An individual who has been delegated by appointed Nurse in Charge the responsibility for the ward or department on a shift-to-shift basis.
Appointed Nurse in Charge	The senior nursing appointment for the ward or department.
Patient Group Direction (PGD)	Written instructions for the supply or administration of medicines to groups of patients who may not be individually identified before presentation for treatment.
Patient Specific Direction (PSD)	A written instruction from a doctor, dentist or nurse prescriber to enable medicines to be supplied or administered to a named patient (e.g. entry in the patient's notes).
Prescriber	A health professional who is legally authorised to prescribe prescription only medicines.
Registered Midwife	Completed nationally recognised training and whose name is recorded on part 10 of the NMC register.
Registered Nurse	Completed nationally recognised training and whose name is recorded on the NMC register, with the exception of those on part 9 only.
Suitably Qualified	An individual who has undertaken a locally approved programme of study and has been assessed and deemed competent to carry out the specified activity. N.B. It is the responsibility of those practitioners to ensure that their skill levels and knowledge are maintained.
Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs	Officer in a health care organisation who is responsible for the safe and effective use of and management of Controlled Drugs. Appointment required by Controlled Drugs (Supervision and Management of Use) Regulations 2013.
Controlled Drugs (CDs)	Controlled Drugs (CDs) are classified in various schedules depending on their therapeutic usefulness and potential for harm. Each schedule has different requirements in relation to storage, handling, record-keeping. The classifications are set out in the current Misuse of Drugs Regulations.