FEW words are more evocative to the Englishman than "matron". For those old enough to remember the birth of the NHS, it conjures up memories of the hospital matriarch whose manner was as starchy as her apron.

Younger generations instantly picture Hattie Jacques marching around the Carry On wards in search of a cowering Kenneth Williams.

Politicians understand the power of nostalgia - remember John Major's Evensong-bound old cycling maids? So we should not be surprised that matrons have made a comeback.

But this is backward-looking policy making at its best. Matrons were the backbone of the NHS. Their decline - and the rise of the target-ticking management army - took place at the same time as our health service lost its way.

This is not coincidence.

Matrons first made a comeback in July 2000, in Tony Blair's NHS Plan. They were being brought back to run wards, it was announced. As patients before and since have commented, nobody does it better.

This being New Labour they were called "modern matrons" but that fooled no one.

The Government also introduced ward housekeepers - another solidly old fashioned title - and they have made a real impact on patient care and ward cleanliness too.

We can only welcome the decision to continue this progress with the introduction of community matrons across Britain. They will echo another hugely successful NHS model - the district nurse. By travelling to visit people in their homes, offering treatment, advice and simple companionship, this should improve the lives of many thousands of patients.

The Labour and Tory arguments will rage on about who can provide the best economic model for the future of the health service. But this back-to-basics approach on the frontline is making an instant difference to the quality of patient care.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, June 25, 2004