§ Q170. Mr. LordTo ask the Prime Minister what assessment she has made of the implications for the quality of patient treatment as well as efficiency, of reintroducing the post of matron in National Health Service hospitals; if she will take immediate steps to restore this post; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government's aim is to see that the NHS provides cost effectively a high standard of health care for all who use it. Heath authorities are free to use the title of matron, and some do so. The Government are the first to recognise that for many people such a post is held in high esteem by the patients.