In an Australian first, nurse practitioners in the ACT will be able to sign death certificates under changes designed to streamline processes for families.

Legislation passed last month allows nurse practitioners to issue cause-of-death certificates as long as they have provided care to the patient.

The changes especially impact nurse practitioners who work in palliative care, hospices and aged care settings.

ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith says the move will remove the need for a doctor’s involvement, streamlining the process.