There is great potential in modern matrons to improve the quality of patient care but, to do so, they need the support of their trusts. Cherill Scott and Jan Savage of the RCN Institute, and Michael Ashman and Susan Read of the University of Sheffield, summarise the findings of their study of the modern matron role

AT THE END of January 2004, a team of nurse researchers from the RCN Institute, London, and the school of nursing and midwifery at the University of Sheffield completed a year-long study into the role of modern matrons.