Evaluating palliative care skills for community matrons

The role of the community matron was developed to improve standards of care for people with complex long-term conditions. Initial emphasis was to support patients to help take control of their condition and reduce unnecessary use of urgent care services and hospital admissions. The community matron caseload requires skill to balance the risks involved in keeping people in their own homes. Recent audits show that end-of-life planning and palliative care are crucial aspects of their work so matrons need training and support to ensure positive outcomes for patients at the end of life.