News release

Timely Medical Certificates Act Will Help Grieving Families

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

The Timely Medical Certificates Act, announced today, Nov. 1, will allow grieving families to make arrangements more quickly after a death.

The change, which was originally announced last month, would allow nurse practitioners and others authorized, to sign medical certificates of death in certain circumstances.

"It is never easy dealing with the death of a loved one and the days following are difficult," said John MacDonell, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "This change will help families make the necessary arrangements more quickly."

Currently, only doctors and medical examiners are allowed to sign medical certificates of death, and funeral directors cannot remove a body until the certificate is signed. This can cause hardship for families in remote and rural areas, in some long-term residential facilities and deaths at home.

Early consultations indicate strong support for the proposed amendments. More consultation is needed to determine when nurse practitioners and other authorized people can sign the certificate.

"Nurse practitioners, particularly those in long-term and palliative care settings, will now have one more means by which to help grieving families cope with the loss of loved ones in a dignified and respectful manner," said Donna Denney, executive director of the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia.

There are more than 100 licensed nurse practitioners in Nova Scotia.