MEET the "modern" matron who could change the face of health care in York and Selby.

For the next new months, Julie Rae, Selby's new community matron, will offer support to people with long-term illnesses by visiting them in their own homes.

Since she started her rounds, Julie has visited patients with asthma, diabetes and hypertension, helping them access wheelchairs or health services which could enhance their lives.

Her role is part of Government plans to introduce 3,000 community matrons across England and Wales by spring 2007.

Selby and York Primary Care Trust has forked out an extra £3,000 to fund her, until the situation is reviewed in April.

If the pilot is successful, matrons like Julie could soon be helping thousands of people in the York and Selby area.

Julie, who lives in Barlby, said patients will be referred through their GPs. Her contact with them will vary from a phone call to daily, weekly or monthly visits, depending on the severity of their illness.

"The last three weeks have gone very well," said Julie.

"I've had 12 referrals who I've visited and assessed.

"I've also communicated with a variety of other agencies, doing quite a few referrals for equipment such as wheelchairs, or services such as chiropody.

"The patients have been very happy with the support they've been given."

Julie said she had enjoyed working so closely with patients.

"The great advantage of my role is that I can work with local general practitioners and primary care teams to develop tailored personal care plans enabling patients to make better informed choices and improve their self care.

"By carrying out the pilot scheme we can make sure that this good work can be transferred to cover the whole of the Selby and York PCT area."

Elizabeth Vickerstaff, Selby care service manager, said: "The expectation is that when Julie has worked with patients and gets them to a point where they are stable, then they will be passed on to a local district nursing team, suitable to the needs of the patient."

Jeremy Clough, the chief executive of the PCT, said: "This pilot project will enable the PCT to implement our promise to provide new community matrons by 2007.

"The new matrons form an important part of enhancing proactive care for patients within the community, and demonstrate the PCT's continuing commitment to developing care close to people's homes."

Updated: 10:12 Wednesday, February 23, 2005