WHEN you think about matrons, the chances are that you cast your mind back to the Carry On films and the fearsome figure of Hattie Jacques.

The stereotypical matron was a huge woman who had a powerful hold on her hospital wards, leaving young nurses trembling in her wake and keeping things running like clockwork.

However scary she may have been, there was no doubt about who was in charge on the front-line.

Despite this, matrons disappeared more than 30 years ago, leaving hospital wards without any visible leadership.

Two years ago, a new breed began to emerge - the so-called "modern matron".

In a back to basics move, the Government has charged these experienced nurses with driving up standards in all areas of hospital life.

They are expected to lead by example, improving cleanliness, food quality and clinical care, and generally improving the patient's experience.

The return of the matron has been so successful that there are now more than 2,000 in place throughout the NHS.

Worcestershire Royal Hospital was quick to welcome matron back, and it currently has 10 patrolling its wards.

Genette Gradwell became a matron at the new hospital eight months ago, bringing 12 years of nursing experience with her.

She is in charge of the Avon Unit, which can cater for 72 patients, and she is responsible for a team of more than 20 nurses.

Worcestershire Royal met all its clinical targets last financial year, and Miss Gradwell and her fellow matrons have played a key role in achieving this.

"We try to be more visible to the patients and their relatives," she said. "We deal with complaints, and we also try to support more junior colleagues.

"We look to take a clinical lead, as opposed to a manager, although we get involved in management as well."

The modern matron has to be multi-talented - must look after her colleagues, take care of paperwork and not be afraid to get her hands dirty.

"We're supposed to be hands on," said Miss Gradwell, aged 36, who moved to Worcestershire Royal from Birmingham City Hospital.

"There wasn't really anyone in our place before. We had ward managers, but they weren't involved in clinical work."

Her new job allows her to develop her career without having to totally sacrifice the nursing side of the job.

"I think they've got the system right here," she said. "There are quite a lot of us, and we meet up regularly and support each other.

"It's quite challenging work, but I expected that. In the past, our career path hadn't been very good - you could either go into management or professional development, but now I do a lot of both."

The new matron is not worried about the reputation the old matron earned, and she is convinced she is helping to improve standards at the hospital.

"The patients like having a senior figure around," she said. "It's been refreshing for them. We were brought in because it's what they wanted."

Younger nurses are also in no doubt about the value of the new matrons.

"They are an invaluable asset to the ward running, providing guidance and support in all situations," said Sister Ali Cutler.

"It's a lot better now, because we've got someone who helps with running the ward and who has a lot of new ideas that we can use.

"She gets a lot of respect from members of staff."

Cath Plain, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's director of nursing, said the introduction of modern matrons to the trust had provided a double focus.

"They are a very visible presence," she said. "They are the people staff, patients and their families come to with any concerns, knowing that they will be dealt with quickly.

"Our modern matrons have also seen their role as ensuring that the patient is at the centre of care by focusing on improving and maintaining high quality nursing standards."

The introduction of the matron is not the only good news as far as nursing at Worcestershire Royal goes.

Until now, Miss Gradwell and her colleagues have had to staff their wards with large numbers of agency nurses because of recruitment problems.

As well as plunging the trust into huge amounts of debt, it has left matrons unsure of who would be working from one day to the next.

"It causes problems because you don't have the continuity of care that you have with regular staff," said Miss Gradwell.

However, by the end of this month, only a few agency nurses will continue to be employed by the trust.

Some 22 Indian nurses have just arrived and 42 newly registered nurses will start soon.

"We've been working really hard to recruit staff," said Miss Gradwell. "It's nice to see the same faces - it helps with morale and makes for better teamwork."

After a difficult year, the future is starting to look brighter for Worcestershire Royal - and the modern matrons are one of the reasons why.