Matron to aim for order and cleanliness

Oct 17 2007 by Aaron Boland, Liverpool Daily Post

A NEW matron has been appointed at Broadgreen Hospital, to bring back old fashioned discipline and cleanliness to the wards.

Patients have welcomed the appointment of Anita Nasser as Matron of Surgical Services, a newly created post at the hospital.

She will focus on improving care for all elective surgery in-patients, covering a range of specialities including urology, surgery, ear, nose and throat and orthopaedics.

She will also oversee cleanliness, in order to help fight hospital infections such as MRSA and C-difficile.

Ms Nasser, 49, from West Derby, trained as a nurse in Broadgreen in the late 1970s and has had a varied healthcare career, having worked as far afield as Saudi Arabia and in the private sector.

She said: “It is important that patients and staff see somebody in charge.

“People have reacted positively to it. I’ve had a few ‘Oh Matron’ comments, which is funny.

“Our relationship with patients is imperative. I aim to visit every patient at least once a day, introduce myself, and chat about any issues they may have. They feel at ease when I am visible and when there is someone on hand to talk over any issues.”

“Patients and families are encouraged to share positive and negative experiences in comment books which I have placed in each ward. I can then ensure that improvements are made while giving positive feedback to staff as well.”

Matrons’ fearsome nature was reinforced by their media image, illustrated by the likes of Hattie Jacques in the Carry On films.

Ms Nasser will enforce hand washing, make sure maintenance work is carried out quickly and create good relations between nursing and cleaning staff.

“Our patients often comment on how nice the hospital environment is at Broadgreen. We must continue to ensure they enjoy as positive an experience of being in hospital as can be.

“We must allay people’s fears, and by running a tight ship we can do this.”

lizawilliams