Lack of trained staff hits plans for community matrons

Government plans to recruit 3,000 ‘community
matrons’ to look after people suffering from multiple
long-term conditions could be undermined by a lack of qualified
nursing staff to fill the role, writes Derren
Hayes.

Paul Corry, head of policy and campaigns at mental health
charity Rethink, said the government has had problems recruiting
support time and recovery (STR) workers and other staff designed to
bridge the gap between community, primary and secondary care mental
health services introduced under previous reforms.

“If community matrons are going to be recruited, trained
and retained that will be great news but we have been here
before,” he added.

Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson also said
there was a shortage of district nurses which community matrons
would be drawn from.

Health secretary John Reid said community matrons, of which
there are 129 at the moment, would act as the main point of contact
for the 250,000 people suffering with the most complex chronic
conditions.