In 2007, the Department of Health pledged to increase the number of matrons in hospitals to 5,000 across the UK.
At both Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, we have a group of experienced matrons who lead teams of nursing staff in the various wards and clinical services we offer.
A crucial role
Matrons have a key role in providing an efficient and effective service to our patients. Part of their role is to focus on improving cleanliness in their area of the hospital. They look at preventing hospital acquired infections, coinciding with the Department of Health's 'Clean, Safe Care: Reducing Infections and Saving Lives'.
Another element of their role is to review and improve clinical care in their relevant section. This happens continually and is a key task for our matrons.
They also lead their teams by example - whether that is by treating patients with the dignity and respect they deserve or ensuring that nursing levels are in line with patient needs.
Other elements of their role includes:
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giving nurses in their teams the opportunity to take on a wider range of clinical tasks
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making sure each patient under their care get their nutritional needs met
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improving wards for patients
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resolving problems for patients and their relatives through building close relationships during their time on the ward
Meet our matrons and service leads
Our matrons are vital to running of our wards, and come with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to impart to their teams. You can find out more about our matrons, as well as service leads in different areas of our hospitals:
Harefield Hospital
- Ambulatory care: Lynda Evans
- Cardiac catheter labs: Sumesh Thituthalil
- Critical care matrons: Ellen Dunthorne and Ciara Collins
- Cardiothoracic services: Carol Gadd (Cardiothoracic Clinical Services Manager)
- Surgery: Naomi Phillips and Sara Collingridge
- Theatres division: Clair Mullins
- Transplantation: Helen Doyle
Royal Brompton Hospital
- Adult intensive care unit: Jo Tillman
- Cardiothoracic services: Sue Bunce
- Cardiac catheter labs: Karen Shevlin
- Paediatrics (PICU and Rose ward): Claire Buckle
- Infection control: Lisa Ryan
- Respiratory medicine: Paul Lidgate