MODERN matrons in East Lancashire have been congratulated for their hard work improving circumstances for patients in accident and emergency departments.

Last year the Government set aside £10,000 for every accident and emergency matron in England to help them make a difference locally.

Matrons - who only recently returned to the NHS after a 30-year absence - could use the cash however they wanted in consultation with their patients, to raise standards in cleanliness, hygiene and care.

Now Health Minister Rosie Winterton has congratulated modern matrons in Lancashire for their use of the money.

Ruth Gildert, matron at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, works closely with the consultant nurse Brigid Reid.

The pair used the cash to introduce a new system of drug administration where each patient has a medicine cabinet and nurses dispense individually to each patient.

This system was congratulated for being more patient-centred than the traditional system of dispensing to all patients on the ward from the drugs trolley.

At Burnley General Hospital, matron Jean Prescott introduced customer care training for staff on the surgical wards, which she now manages.

This has resulted in higher levels of patient satisfaction and, consequently, fewer complaints.

Speaking at a summit to agree how they will keep pushing improvements forward, Ms Winterton congratulated matrons and other key frontline emergency care staff for their hard work.

She said: "It's no great mystery that patients put shorter waiting times at the top of their list for improvements in emergency care.

"But there are other improvements they would like to see, starting with better information, especially about how long they'll wait and what will happen to them. People also want clean, pleasant surroundings and friendly, helpful staff.

"Last year, we set aside £10,000 for every matron to make the improvements they thought were needed in their A&E.

"Matrons across the country have used that money to buy new furniture and floor coverings, creating separate areas for children, and better information so patients know what's going on."

Matrons were reintroduced, with a modern, enhanced set of responsibilities, in the Government's 10-year NHS Plan, after an absence of 30 years.

The NHS Plan, published in July 2000, promised 500 matrons in place by April 2002 and the latest estimates show that the number of NHS matrons has risen to more than 2,000.

Marie Thompson, deputy director of nursing and quality at the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust said: "The major impact of the matron role has been that patients and their families have a clear point of contact to go to with their concerns and problems.

"This also applies to health staff.

"The matrons have a key role in influencing organisation of patient care and looking at best use of the nursing workforce."