Nurse Independent Prescribers

2025.09.08

3.10   Deputy I. Gardiner of St. Helier North of the Minister for Social Security regarding enabling Nurse Independent Prescribers to issue medical certificates (OQ. 199/2025):

Will the Minister explain what consideration, if any, has been given to enabling Nurse Independent Prescribers to issue medical certificates and, from any such consideration, will he state what steps would be required to allow this and explain what barriers (if any) there are to achieving it?"

Deputy T.J.A. Binet (The Minister for Health and Social Services):

I am sorry I have been taken completely unawares. [Aside] Oh, sorry, that is a relief, Sir. The Bailiff :

Sorry, did I read the wrong Minister out? I am sorry. I think it could be that the original one was coached differently, but it does not matter. Sorry about that, Minister.

Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central (The Minister for Social Security):

I thank the Deputy for raising this. It is an interesting question and is also well-timed. The Deputy may recall that in July I signed a Ministerial Order expanding the range of independent prescribers to include not just nurses but also pharmacists and paramedics who hold the relevant qualifications. This was an important step in modernising our primary care workforce and making the best use of all of our health professionals who work in Jersey. At this stage, my team has not yet started to consider the expansion of medical certification to a wider group of health professionals. However, this type of expansion is well-aligned with the ongoing expansion of primary healthcare health roles and will be considered at an appropriate time. Work would be needed to create the process for authorising a range of healthcare professionals to issue certificates, including identifying appropriate qualifications, governance, and clinical oversight, record-keeping, et cetera. I will continue to work with the Minister for Health and Social Services, G.P.s (general practitioners), and other healthcare professionals to support the effective delivery of modern primary care services.

[15:15]

3.10.1 Deputy I. Gardiner :

Given that the United Kingdom extended fit note certification 2022 to include advanced nurses and, as Ministers agreed, it will reduce pressure on G.P.s, improving continued care and reduce waiting time for patients, would the Minister indicate what are the timeline, if she would be working with the Minister for Health and Social Services to ensure that a small change can actually bring better service and proper monetary savings too?

Deputy L.V. Feltham :

I am not able to commit to a date at present because, as I said, no work has been planned. However there is ongoing work around the expansion of primary care services and I am quite willing to follow up with the Deputy as that work progresses. I am as keen as she is to ensure that our primary care services are efficient and effective as possible and providing the very best care to our Islanders.