§ 14. Mr. Lordasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to reintroduce the role of matron into hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonHealth authorities are free to use the title matron if they wish to do so.
§ Mr. LordIs my hon. Friend aware that there is a certain amount of concern that record spending on the National Health Service at the moment is not necessarily coming through in terms of record patient care? Bearing in mind the unique tradition of the old matron in terms of understanding consultants, doctors and nurses—all her staff— and patients, as well as her ability to control supplies very carefully, will my hon. Friend reconsider reintroducing this invaluable post into our hospitals?
§ Mr. NewtonThe role of matron in different institutions varies quite widely, but I accept my hon. Friend's point that it is important for there to be clear-cut lines of managerial responsibility. That is what we think we are achieving at the moment.
§ Mrs. Renée ShortWhere would the matron stand in the pecking order, with the proliferation of general managers now being appointed in every hospital throughout the country?
§ Mr. NewtonWhere a matron stood in the pecking order would depend on precisely what responsibilities she was asked to fulfil. I hope the hon. Lady will recognise that quite a number of nurses have become general managers at both district and unit level. That is something that we are anxious to see.