RCN welcomes Prime Minister’s pledge to modern matrons
Published: 25 September 2007
RCN General Secretary Dr Peter Carter welcomed Gordon Brown’s pledge to focus on health care in his keynote speech at the Labour party conference.
In a speech that focussed on public services, Mr Brown declared that there would be a “deep clean” of all NHS hospitals, a boost in the numbers of matrons and new powers for the Healthcare Commission in a bid to combat the spread of such diseases as C.difficile and MRSA.
As part of the process, the prime minister promised appointing at least around a further 3,00 matrons, which will take the current 2,000 up to 5,000 in total.
Mr Brown said: "Ward sisters will have new powers. Cleaning contractors will have to be under the supervision of the Healthcare Commission. We will make sure, just as we have been dealing with MRSA, we are going to deal also with this new bug C.difficile.
"Everybody has a right to expect, when you go into hospital, you are not just treated as a person and not a number, but it is going to be clean, it is going to be safe it is going to be secure. I want to reassure people that we are taking every step possible to do it."
Commenting on Gordon Brown’s pledge, Dr Carter said: The RCN has long called for more modern matrons with a central, supported role in the NHS that recognises their key contribution in tackling hospital acquired infections, driving up standards of patient care and providing leadership on the wards.”
“This investment is badly needed and is a welcome signal that this government is making a genuine commitment to the future of the NHS and its workforce that will be of long term benefit to staff and their patients.”