Role models to nurses

I was extremely bewildered to read the letter "Tribunal award" (November 30) stating that the level of matron, who manages nurses and monitors efficient nursing care to patients, "is an unnecessary level of management" and can be eliminated.

Qualified professional nurses in all healthcare settings are caregivers who are directly responsible and hence accountable for the immediate delivery of nursing care. They are accountable, as individuals, for the care they deliver to patients and as such are responsible for their own actions.

It is recognised that in the delivery of a nursing service there are essentially two groups of workers - the caregivers and the others who support those giving the care.

They all work towards a common goal, the delivery of quality clinical nursing care. It is important to point out that within each group there is a hierarchical substructure, which is based upon expertise, experience and qualifications of the individuals concerned.

Nurse managers, a more contemporary title to matrons, ensure that all ward sisters and nurses in charge have the authority and support they need to resolve clinical issues and to ensure that the basics of care are right. In addition, they aim to improve the quality of the patient's experience by ensuring that key frontline staff have the necessary competence to prevent or to remedy shortcomings or failings in the processes, systems, facilities and services that contribute to patient care.

They strengthen clinical leadership at ward and unit level and boost public confidence in the particular healthcare system, especially in the willingness and capacity to listen and to respond quickly to the concerns of patients and staff alike.

Matrons/nurse managers are leaders and resource persons to all staff. They coordinate the service and are facilitators of care between all professions involved. Most of all matrons are role models to all their nurses. Indeed, they make a difference and are here to stay!