GEORGE Cowley writing in You Say on August 1, states that a lady he knows says that matrons should be brought back to hospitals, more cleaners employed and "so expensive" office staff reduced in numbers.

Of course, the old-time matrons had a fearsome reputation as draconian disciplinarians.

Nevertheless, the system worked in the first half of the 20th Century and before.

In those days, young women entered the nursing profession as a vocation, prepared for a life of self-sacrifice, rather in the same way as others become novices nuns.

However, teenage girls are different today, they have minds of their own.

If the old-type matron was re-introduced to the hospitals, the number of recruits to the profession of nursing would fall to zero.

After all, why should prospective nurses submit to treatment no factory worker would even be forced to tolerate?

I doubt whether Mr Cowley or the lady called Margaret, would be prepared to accept such conditions of employment either.

No doubt cleaners do a good job in the hospitals and more should be employed.

However, office staff are needed too, otherwise the health establishments would be in chaos.

Doctors and nurses would have to keep the accounts and patients' records themselves and send out appointments, thereby impairing their performance as medical and nursing professionals.

Matrons may receive a fair salary, but far from being expensive, other office staff are lowly paid.

D E MARGRETT

Rowan Court

Worcester