A&E matrons weild £2m fund to raise cleanliness

Matrons in charge of NHS A&E departments will each receive a minimum £10,000 share of a new £2 million budget to raise standards of cleanliness, hygiene and care.

Matron was reintroduced - with a modern, enhanced set of responsibilities - in the government's 10-year NHS Plan, after an absence of 30 years. The NHS Plan, published in July 2000, promised 500 matrons in place by April 2002. The latest estimates show that the number of NHS matrons has risen to over 2,000.

The drive to reintroduce matron will now extend to hospital A&E Departments across the country. To provide a new incentive to appoint modern matrons to major A&E departments, a £2 million fund is being established. Each matron in charge of Accident and Emergency - those already in post and new appointments - will receive a minimum £10,000 budget which they will control themselves and use to improve services.

A&E matrons will be able to spend their budget as they wish.

Speaking this afternoon to an audience of modern matrons in London, Mr Milburn said: "Matron is back - right the way across the NHS - as we promised in the NHS Plan. The successful return of matron to hospital wards - with a modern remit and updated set of responsibilities - is already making a real difference to the quality of care NHS patients receive. In hospitals across the country, where matrons make a return to the wards, they are welcomed by both patients and staff."

Chief Nursing Officer Sarah Mullally, publishing an evaluaton of modern matrons, said: "I am delighted with the success that matrons have achieved in improving patients' experience in the NHS in such a short time. Over the next twelve months matrons in every part of the NHS, but especially in A&E, will all play a key role in improving patients' experience, in the ways that patients' themselves want to see: better information, better relationships between patients and staff, a better physical environment and better facilities for children.

"Matrons will also take the lead in involving local patients in decisions about what should take priority."

(GMcG)