Reid unveils new Matron's Charter

Tuesday, 19 October 2004 10:46 AM

The Health Secretary John Reid has today launched a new "Matron's Charter" designed to improve cleanliness in hospitals.

Dr Reid also announced that Chris Beasley, from the NHS Modernisation Agency, would take up the post of Chief Nursing Officer

The plan, drawn up in consultation with nursing associations, focuses on ways that matrons can improve cleanliness, including making sure that cleaning staff are recognised for the work they do, establishing systems for cleaning new equipment and ensuring all staff receive training in infection control.

Speaking from Middlesex Hospital, Dr Reid said: "I am delighted to welcome Chris to this vitally important role. I have made clear that her first concern must be to ensure all NHS hospitals come up to the standards of the best when it comes to cleanliness and infection control.

"Everyone has a role to play - hospital cleaners are as important as consultants when it comes to these issues. Nurses, doctors and other staff are in the front line of this struggle, and I am determined hospital managers and my department give them the support they need.

"Today we are publishing the Matron's Charter - a no-nonsense guide for hospital staff which makes clear all have a role to play, but Matron must take the lead in setting standards. The document is clear and non-technical and while it is aimed at staff, should be shared with patients and visitors."

The new charter comes on top of a recent DoH campaign to encourage all NHS staff to wash their hands more frequently.

Commenting on the launch, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, Paul Burstow, called on the Government to tackle what it sees as the central cleanliness problem - the use of contract cleaners.

A large number of hospitals use private cleaning firms, which critics claim do not deliver the same level of service and provide worse working conditions for staff.

Mr Burstow, said: "This charter will make no difference whatsoever unless the Government tackle the contract culture that has put price ahead of quality in cleaning, and the target culture that has allowed dangerously high turnover rates of hospital beds.

"If this target obsessed Government fails to give matrons the authority to direct cleaning contractors and have control over the ward the fight to control infection will not be won."

At this year's Labour Party conference, the Health Secretary promised that the Government would sign "no more cut-price two-tier cleaning contracts" and would begin to bring cleaning back in-house.

The Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley said: "It has taken the Government seven years and MRSA has doubled before they recognised that cleaner hospitals is the priority. Conservatives have made it clear that it has been our priority and that we have wanted matrons and senior nurses to have the real power and responsibility to ensure a clean and safe environment. Matrons and nurses can only deliver cleaner hospitals if the Government scraps the Whitehall targets which stops them taking the action necessary.

"The Government can only deliver cleaner hospitals if it changes its policy and publish infection rates ward by ward so the public can see where the hospitals are achieving an infection free environment".

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