The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected health professionals, and improving the attractiveness of the health professions was an important focus in 2024, with the creation of new roles and profiles to support nurses and general practitioners (GPs).
Since the extension of nursing studies in 2016, a distinction has been made between nurses responsible for general care, who must have completed a four-year programme (bachelor level), and nursing assistants, who must have completed a three-year programme. A royal decree of September 2023, amended in April 2024, defines the list of nursing services that can be provided by a nursing assistant, as well as their conditions of practice. In less complex situations, the nursing assistant can work independently within the limits of their competence, but in more complex situations, the nursing assistant works under the responsibility of a nurse or a doctor.
The qualified caregiver has also been recognized since February 2024. A qualified caregiver is a person who is not a nurse, but who is authorized, within the framework of their professional or voluntary activity, to provide well-defined care services outside a care institution (in a school, crèche, day centre, institution for the disabled or at home). These are simple care services, such as administering insulin to a person with diabetes. Written authorization from a doctor, nurse or nursing assistant is required. The authorization defines what the qualified carer can do and under what circumstances, and also ensures that the necessary training and instructions are provided.
In April 2024, two royal decrees also defined the clinical activities and medical procedures that advanced practice nurses may carry out, as well as the criteria for recognition as an advanced practice nurse.
The recognition of the clinical research nurse is also in progress. This is intended to cover nurses with a doctoral degree who work in collaboration with universities and/or organizations with a scientific background.
To support GPs, the title of practice assistant has also been recognized since May 2024. These paramedical professionals assist GPs with administrative tasks as well as some technical support tasks (such as taking samples for the laboratory or taking the weight), under the supervision of the physician. A specific training programme has been defined in 2023 (90 ECTS or 970 hours). Moreover, since September 2024, GP practices have been able to apply for a financial contribution to conclude an initial employment contract with a practice assistant or a nurse.