THE power of the modern matron is set to increase at Worcestershire Royal Hospital - and it will be the patients who benefit.

Matrons in charge of NHS Accident and Emergency departments across the country are being given at least £10,000 each to spend on raising standards of cleanliness, hygiene and care.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn announced the new £2m budget this week.

There are now more than 2,000 NHS modern matrons, with 10 in place at Worcestershire Royal.

The cash handout is intended as an incentive to hospital trusts to employ more matrons in A&E. Worcester's new hospital already has a matron in charge in its A&E department.

She will be able to control the budget herself, spending it on areas including:

- Extra cleaning in A&E departments

- Enhanced painting and decorating programmes

- Drinks and snack machines for patients and their carers

- Improving children's play areas, buying extra toys and books

- Redesigning reception areas to make them more patient-friendly

"Matron's successful return means we can now expand their responsibilities, particularly in A&E departments," said Mr Milburn.

"These new budgets will give matron even more clout to ensure that the fundamentals of care are right; that the care is there, the hospital is clean and patients get the service they deserve."

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust was unable to say how much money it had been given from the new budget.

Modern matrons have helped to raise standards in key areas of care, including privacy and dignity, food, personal hygiene and cleanliness in wards.

"We've achieved our waiting time target in A&E, so the modern matron has clearly helped with that," said a spokesman for the trust.

"It's quite an achievement."