There are now more than 2,000 matrons

The so-called 'modern matrons' will be expected to improve hygiene and general patient facilities.

They will add to the 2,000 matrons already working in NHS hospitals across the country.

Matrons returned to the NHS three years ago after an absence of 30 years. They were seen as the most effective way of improving standards in wards.

The policy has proved so successful that ministers now want matrons to help run A&E departments.

Extra money

They will each receive at least �10,000 from a new �2m fund to help improve standards.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn said the extra money would help to deliver improvements.

"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."

The Department of Health's chief nursing officer Sarah Mullally said matrons had helped to improve services since they were reintroduced.

She said matrons would now be asked to take steps to improve patients' experiences of hospital.

"Over the next twelve months matrons in every part of the NHS, but especially in A&E, will all play a key role in improving patients' experience, in the ways that patients' themselves want to see: better information, better relationships between patients and staff, a better physical environment and better facilities for children.

"Matrons will also take the lead in involving local patients in decisions about what should take priority."

Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox dismissed the announcement as "another gimmick".

He said: "What we require is better attention on clinical output and not yet more government targets and gimmicks."

Karen Jennings from Unison also criticised the policy. "We welcome more money coming into accident and emergency departments to be spent on all those things outlined by the health secretary.