MATRONS are set to become the patient's champion in York - leading the drive to improve cleanliness and raise standards.

York Hospitals NHS Trust plans to make them easily identifiable to patients and provide strong leadership on wards.

Matrons were at the heart of a national modernisation drive when they returned to the NHS in 2001. The York trust is considering ways to raise their profile and further strengthen the role.

York Hospital is part of a nationwide pilot scheme exploring ways to implement the Matron's Charter - a national action plan for cleaner hospitals.

York currently has 14 matrons, but Mike Proctor, chief operating officer, said in a report to the board that "there is no uniformity or co-ordination of the role".

Mr Proctor said: "A number of matrons' roles are part time and a number also act as ward sister as well as fulfilling the role of matron.

"This is now an ideal time to strengthen the role of matron and raise the presence and visibility of senior nurses within the organisation." Under new arrangements, matrons will have overall responsibility for managing nursing staff, resources and budgets relating to the nursing service.

They will champion high professional standards and lead by example to raise standards of clinical care and empower nurses to take on more clinical tasks to help improve patient care.

They will also establish a culture of cleanliness across the trust.

Matrons will be easily identifiable to patients and provide strong leadership through a visible presence and provide support, advice and assistance to patients, their families and carers.

Mr Proctor said: "With the deputy director of nursing, matrons will set and uphold standards, including cleanliness, acting as the patients' champion."

A job description has been compiled with help from existing matrons and hospital bosses to provide a consistent approach to the role.

The Department of Health states that the Matron's Charter is about ensuring all members of hospital teams understand it is everyone's responsibility to keep the NHS clean, with matrons establishing a culture of cleanliness across their units.

Matrons are also tasked with ensuring members of cleaning staff feel part of the team while patients will have a part to play in monitoring and reporting on standards of cleanliness.

Mr Proctor's comments came as the Selby and York NHS Trust introduced four new community matrons at the NHS walk-in centre in Monkgate, York.

The women will oversee the care some patients, particularly those with chronic illness, receive in their own homes.

The board of the York Hospitals NHS Trust will consider Mr Proctor's report tomorrow.

Updated: 08:37 Tuesday, July 26, 2005