NEW 'matron boards' will offer patients and their families increased access to help at the West Cumberland Hospital.

They will be displayed on wards containing details of who is, and how to contact, the ward matron.

Wards will also be handing out postcard-sized versions of the posters to patients and their families.

The boards have been introduced following a need to improve how patients access help and understand who is looking after them. This was stated in the hospital's last Care Quality Commission (CQC) report.

Feedback has also shown that patients do not always know who the ‘person in charge’ is on a ward. The posters and cards are there to help patients, and their families, pinpoint who to speak to about any problems or concerns.

Anna Stabler, deputy director of nursing and midwifery at the Trust, said: “The Trust is always looking to improve the experience of patients, and one way of doing that is increasing the visibility of ward matrons.

"We believe that putting a face to a name, and letting them know who the person in-charge is, will contribute positively to the care patients receive.”