Oooh matron!

JUDITH May is the government's latest weapon against MRSA. As a modern matron working at two hospitals in the Southampton area, she is responsible for driving up standards of care, ensuring wards are clean and patients properly fed.

The post of matron has been re-introduced to the NHS after a 30-year absence, following strong public support.

Over 2,000 have been appointed across the country - but today's versions are a far cry from their predecessors.

Forget any preconceptions of formidable Hattie Jacques-like characters in starched uniforms patrolling the wards in a climate of fear.

The modern matron is far more approachable. For starters, Judith, 34, doesn't have a uniform.

Her days are spent talking to ward managers, nurses, staff, patients and relatives about anything from hospital food to hand-washing.

Judith took up the new modern matron role with Southampton City Primary Care Trust in April last year.

As one of only two community matrons employed by the trust, she has responsibility for elderly rehabilitation wards at both Western Community Hospital, Millbrook, and the Tom Rudd Unit at Moorgreen Hospital, West End.

Judith, who qualified as a nurse in 1991, helps set and monitor standards for cleaning and catering - and has authority to take action where they are not met.

"I wanted to feel I was making a difference to patients," she said. "The nice thing is being so directly involved. It is quite a far-ranging role.

"I think the fact that matrons are few in number recognises how important a job it is.

"It is not just another person on the ward who is involved in the direct care of patients; it is a more objective role."

An important part of Judith's job is looking at ways of improving hygiene on the wards.

With challenging new government targets to halve the number of MRSA blood infections in NHS hospitals by 2008, cleanliness is everything.

Part of Judith's recent work has focused on the use of alcohol gel, which is kept on the wards for both staff and visitors to clean their hands. As a result, distribution points have been revised in a bid to encourage use of the gel.

"We re-looked at where we were placing the hand gel at the point of care," said Judith."Every nurse now has a hand-held bottle of gel clipped to their uniform, for ease of use.

"There are also bottles close to each bay and the entrance to each ward, and we are looking at ways of raising awareness among visitors, who may think the gel is just for staff."

Other on going work includes looking at the best places to site clinical waste bins, the disposal of gloves and aprons, and storage and shelving methods.

Judith is also responsible for finding ways of tackling some of the more unsavoury aspects of the wards - such as dealing with unpleasant odours.

As a result, deodoriser systems, which emit regular bursts, have been installed at one of the sites.

"Feedback from patients has been very positive; they are pleased with the measures staff are making in relation to cleanliness of the wards," said Judith.

FACTFILE:

Modern matrons were introduced as part of the NHS Plan in 2000 to play a key role in the health service and put power back into the hands of frontline staff.

Targets were announced in April 2001 to have up to 2,000 matrons on wards throughout the NHS by 2004.

The new role was introduced to provide strong leadership on wards and be highly visible and accessible to patients.

Matrons lead by example in driving up standards of clinical care and empowering nurses to take on a greater range of clinical tasks to help improve patient care.

They have the power to get the basics right for patients, such as clean wards, good food and quality care, and can respond quickly to complaints.

The Matron's Charter was published last October as a no-nonsense, ten-point action plan for cleaner hospitals.

Devised by health service staff and organisations with an interest in cleaning and infection control, the document applies to all NHS employees.