Nurses Authorized to Issue Death Certificates Nationwide

Decree Published in Official Journal

A decree that empowers nurses across France to write death certificates was published this Thursday in the Official Journal. This nationwide extension builds on an ongoing experiment initiated in six French regions since December 2023.

Expansion of Nurses' Responsibilities

According to Health Minister Frédéric Valletoux, nurses will now be able to sign death certificates for the roughly 150,000 individuals who pass away at home annually. This policy change, intended to last one year, aims to alleviate the burden on doctors and expedite the funeral process for families.

Eligibility and Training for Nurses

The decree specifies that this responsibility is available to voluntary, salaried, or self-employed state-certified nurses. To qualify, nurses must have at least three years of experience and complete specialized training. As of now, 1,217 nurses have been trained for this role.

Impact on Families and Healthcare

The initiative is designed to support families more effectively during bereavement by reducing the wait times for death certificates, which are essential for initiating funeral arrangements. Additionally, it is expected to free up doctors' time, potentially improving healthcare access across various regions.

Future Prospects and Legislative Background

If successful, this expanded experiment could lead to a permanent change in policy. The initiative is part of broader efforts to address doctor shortages and improve healthcare access, stemming from legislation proposed by Frédéric Valletoux, who is now the Minister of Health.