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NHS exceeds Prime Minister’s modern matron target

  • Last modified date:
    6 June 2008
Modern matron with patient

There are now more than 5,000 modern matrons working in the NHS to drive up standards of cleanliness and care, Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced today.

Figures released by the Department show that there are 5,538 modern matrons in post. This follows a commitment the Prime Minister made in September 2007 to double the number of modern matrons to more than 5,000 by the end of May 2008.

Matrons are strong clinical leaders given the power to make things better for patients and families, with distinctive uniforms to ensure that they are highly visible. 

They are key figures in the fight against hospital infections, and are responsible for improving standards of care, ensuring wards are clean and that patients are properly fed. Standards for cleaning and catering are set and monitored by modern matrons, who have authority to take action when standards are not met.

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