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.
Letters from 3rd July issue
01 July 2008
Geoffrey Hodgkins' death: Coroner to recommend restraint guidance
31 January 2008
Talking therapies trial to get people with depression back in workforce
11 August 2005
Depression therapy pilot could be launched
04 August 2005
Youth Justice and the Youth Justice Board
26 August 2008
Substance misuse
15 August 2008
Details of government consultations
21 August 2008
Private Member Bills
25 July 2008
Government Legislation
25 July 2008
