QATAR – The Ministry of Public Health of Qatar (MOPH) has taken a decisive step towards regulation in the practice of home nursing services across the state.
Qatar has introduced the job title of home nurse within the nursing categories organized by the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) at the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH).
Additionally, Qatar has launched registration requirements and licensing standards for home nurses within the nursing categories under MOHP’s Department of Healthcare Professions.
The regulatory changes seek to meet the growing demand for home nursing services as the average age of the country’s population is on the rise.
There has also been an increased focus on wellness indicators in Qatari society and new concepts such as the concept of long-term care and home care in recent years.
In a press release, the government office said: “The new policy clarifies the scope of the home nurse’s practice; the nurse’s follow-up to the instructions of the treating physicians of the patient, following the treatment plan set by them, and comply with all laws, policies, and directives issued by the competent authority at the Ministry of Public Health.”
The policy of regulating the practice of home nursing services allows nursing staff who are sponsored by the patient or his/her family to apply for registration and licensing through the Ministry of Public Health.
The Ministry of Public Health pointed out that the policy of regulating the practice of home nursing services also applies to nursing staff who do not work for any of the MOHP-licensed health facilities.
The newly licensed home nurses will complement the works of Hamad Medical Corporation and other key players providing home care services for the elderly within the State of Qatar.
This new policy will build on the authority’s efforts to regulate and legalize the work of all health practitioners in the State of Qatar.
What’s more, the ministry has laid out general conditions and requirements to become a licensed home nurse in the State of Qatar to ensure the nurse’s competence and integrity are met.
It aligns with the policies and regulations applicable in different countries of the world, and nursing regulatory institutions such as the American Nurses Association (ANA).
To become licensed, a home nurse must verify the validity of all certificates and documents submitted, work experience, and academic qualifications, and pass the MOHP’s licensing examination for nursing staff.
The applicant must have an intermediate certificate in nursing, such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a diploma from technical secondary nursing schools or any other nationally recognized study program dedicated to the provision of home nursing services.
Commenting on the new licensing requirements, Dr. Saad Al Kaabi, Director of the Department of Healthcare Professions at the Ministry of Public Health, outlined: “Regulating the practice of home nursing contributes to enhancing integrated health care in the State of Qatar by providing an effective and safe health service.”
Dr. Saad Al Kaabi explained that the policy of regulating the practice of home nursing services creates a new option set from existing service options of staying at home while patients continue to receive the health care services that they need.
He further said that a license to practice the profession will be issued to cadres of home nursing who are not associated with a health facility, with the name of the patient, as the work of the nursing staff of this category is limited to the patient and his family.
“A license to practice the profession under the job title of home nurse can be granted to nursing cadres who have a bachelor’s degree in nursing if they wish to do so while demonstrating a commitment to the scope of the practice of home nursing services,” said Dr. Saad Al Kaabi.
Moreover, the nurse will be allowed to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits per the new policy regulating the practice of home nursing services.
Continuing Professional Development credits are included within the mechanism for regulating and approving medical education/CPD activities launched by the Ministry of Public Health.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, a home nurse is tasked with providing a minimum of 80 credits for license renewal by attending professional development activities that will allow him/her to reach the required points.
“At-home nursing services are an important alternative for the elderly persons to support them psychologically to recover and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” underscored Dr. Al Kaabi.
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