THE OLD-fashioned role of matron is poised to make a comeback on hospital wards.

But patients can take heart that the fearsome character made famous by Carry On star, Hattie Jacques, will play no part in the modern-look matron.

The return of matrons is seen by the government as a way of strengthening the role of ward sisters and introducing senior sisters.

The NHS plan, devised to pull the health service into the 21st century, describes the modern matron as providing a clear focus for clinical leadership across a group of wards.

It goes on to say they will be highly visible, accessible and authoritative figures whom patients can rely on to ensure the fundamentals of care are right.

At this stage, Carry On matron fans could be forgiven for confusing the new with the old, but unlike the Hattie Jacques' character, modern matrons will take pride in being people-friendly.

The post, which every trust across the country must establish, will be in place by next April.

Applicants will need to be professionally well-qualified clinicians with substantial experience of care management at ward and unit level.

They will also have a reputation for setting and delivering high standards.

As the health circular says: "they will be individuals who take pride in the NHS and in the organisations in which they work".

This week, Mrs Laura Robson, South Durham health care NHS trust's director of nursing, met senior nurses to discuss how to implement the proposal.

On Monday she told members of the trust board that the role was being re-introduced in response to patient complaints. "A lot of the structures we already have in place encompass the role of matron.

"There will be some changes to ward sister and senior nursing jobs, but in the main the work is already part of their roles. I believe this action is in response to complaints received by the non-executive."

She may be right. The NHS plan states that the measures are aimed at improving the quality of the patient experience by ensuring that key frontline staff have the necessary authority to prevent or remedy shortcomings or failings in the system.