Cabinet gives approval for Prescriptive Rights for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Nov. 22, 2023
KINGSTON, Jamaica. Tuesday, November 21, 2023: Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton has announced Cabinet’s approval of prescriptive rights for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
“Under this model, Family Nurse Practitioners and Mental Health Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners in Government Health Facilities and the University Hospital of the West Indies will be granted prescriptive authority under specific conditions,” the Minister told Parliament earlier today.
Those conditions include that no private practice privileges; and that medical practitioners assess all new patients, as well as review the patient when a new problem emerges or when the patient becomes unstable.
They also include that Mental Health Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and Family Nurse Practitioners should be registered by the Nursing Council of Jamaica as APRNs and meet the specific training requirements and continuing education hours as determined by the Nursing Council of Jamaica. Further, at the University Hospital of the West Indies, a Senior Resident or Consultant at the hospital must see all patients discharged.
The amendments aim to further streamline patient care as all patients should be assessed and diagnosed by a Medical Officer and ongoing follow-on care provided by the family nurse practitioner and mental health psychiatric nurse practitioner.
This is according to established clinical protocols once the patient’s condition is within the scope of practice and clinical management level of the family nurse practitioner and mental health psychiatric nurse practitioner. If signs and symptoms do not respond to treatment as expected, the patient will be referred to a Medical Officer.
Cabinet has given its approval for the issuance of drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel for amendments to the Nurses and Midwives Act and the Pharmacy Act to accommodate the registration and licensure of APRNs, including family nurse practitioners, mental health psychiatric nurse practitioners, and nurse anaesthetists.
“It is important to highlight that regarding nurse anaesthetists, the Ministry is not pursuing prescriptive authority at this time. Instead, the focus is on accommodating their licensure and registration under a legal framework, recognising the advanced training and critical role they play in patient care. This milestone underscores the Government’s commitment to healthcare excellence. Despite, the success of the Nurse Practitioner Programme initiated in 1977, these professionals have not been recognised under the Nurses and Midwives Act,” Dr. Tufton said.
“The amendments … signify a dynamic evolution of our healthcare system to meet the diverse needs of our population. Therefore, the amendments to the Nurses and Midwives Act are multifaceted. They seek to accommodate the licensure and registration of APRNs, regulate the registration, licensure, and training of APRNs, and uphold proper standards of professional conduct among individuals registered under the Nurses and Midwives Act,” the Minister added.
This also, he said, represents a progressive step towards a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.
“By acknowledging the expertise of APRNs and granting them the necessary authority, we are not only enhancing their roles but also ensuring a healthier future for all Jamaicans. This landmark moment aligns with our National Development Plan and the Vision for Health,” the Minister said.
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