Carry on Matron
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Oooh, matron! How many hearts have been set aflutter by the news that matron is to be restored to our hospitals after an absence of 30 years?
Internal links
Oooh, matron! How many hearts have been set aflutter by the news that matron is to be restored to our hospitals after an absence of 30 years? How many will thrill to the thought of that starched uniform, topped by the frilly cap of office and accompanied by that brisk, brusque manner that treated all forms of hospital life equally and implacably, from microbes to consultants?
There will be some observers, doubtless, and not all of them French, who will seek to link the popularity of this formidable figure, most fully mythologised by the late Hattie Jacques, with the popularity of that other firm and singular older woman, Anne Robinson; and go on to suggest that there is something, well, unhealthy, about it all, probably muttering knowingly about le vice anglais and that sort of thing.
We, for our part, prefer to take a matron's view of such suggestions: stuff and nonsense! And what about the things that have been going on while she's been away? Have you seen the dust, the state of the window-sills and under the bed? Have you read about the peculiar and high-handed things doctors have been getting up to? Sloppy, a disgrace, and very, very Sixties. Nurse!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments