Community matrons and long-term conditions: an inside view

Abstract

This paper sets out to assess the impact of the community matron as perceived by those undertaking this relatively new nursing role. With the incidence of people living with long-term conditions continuing to rise and subsequently the costs of care set to increase, the role of community matron was identified as one approach to improve the management of these individuals living with chronic conditions. This included anticipating, coordinating and joining up care of specific high intensity patients with complex long-term conditions while supporting new ways of working to reduce unplanned hospital admissions and contain costs. Local primary care trusts (PCTs) were given guidance for the development of the community matron role with supporting frameworks for competency expectations and the use of case management techniques along with targets to achieve and a minimum case load criteria. Following the implementation of this role in 2005 a small scale study was conducted to evaluate the role using nine community matron participants working across NHS South of Tyne and Wear PCTs. Following in-depth interviews results were analysed and findings suggestive of many positive aspects of the role and areas still requiring further support and development.