Media centre

Press release: Modern matron is an investment in management

04 Apr 2001

Responding the Government announcement on "modern matron" today*, Confederation chief executive, Stephen Thornton said: "Creating a modernised NHS needs high quality leaders. This idea is essentially an investment in management and leadership in the NHS and recognises the major contribution nurses can make to this modernisation. It is good to see more involvement of clinicians in management being positively encouraged. The challenge is to ensure that we do not create a cadre of disconnected middle managers rather than front line leaders with their finger on the pulse.

While we are pleased that the Government has recognised this, we should remember that the majority of patients are not treated on hospital wards today. There should be the same level of investment in management in areas such as outpatients and primary care which is where the majority of people come into contact with the NHS and nurses."

Ends

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation is the voice of NHS management. Our members include over 95 per cent of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and health authorities in Wales; trusts and health boards in
   Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

*Dept of Health release 'Health Secretary brings backs matron to the health service', 4 April 01

Contact details

1. Contact Media Relations Manager Joanna Clason on 020 7074 3306 or 07798 571078 or Senior Media Officer Amy Darlington on 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.
   

Back to media centre