Amid continuing concern over hospital cleanliness the health secretary has pledged a renewed effort to drive up standards.

John Reid said that the new chief nursing officer for England, whose appointment was announced on Tuesday, would also focus on hospital hygiene.

Chris Beasley, former head of the NHS Modernisation Agency, will take over the top nursing role from Sarah Mullally who left the Department of Health last month to join the Church of England.

The health secretary said Beasley would make tackling the MRSA "superbug" and other hospital infections her top priority.

And coinciding with the appointment, the government detailed a new "matron's charter", which was described as a "no-nonsense guide for hospital staff".

It also says that while all have a role to play in keeping hospitals clean, matrons should take the lead in setting standards.

"Nurses, doctors and other staff are in the front line of this struggle, and I am determined hospital managers and my department give them the support they need," said Reid.

Beasley, who said she "relished" the challenge of her new post, said that ensuring all staff put hospital cleanliness and infection control at the top of the agenda would be her priority.

'Matrons must lead by example and by making changes when things aren't up to scratch," she said.

The charter was drawn up by the Department of Health along with the Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Midwives, Unison and other key organisations.

Beverly Malone, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said she was "pleased to see such a clear government  understanding of how important it is to empower matrons".

But the Liberal Democrats warned that the charter could fail to make an impact.

"This charter will make no difference what so ever unless the government tackle the contract culture that has put price ahead of quality in cleaning, and the target culture that has allowed dangerously high turnover rates of hospital beds," said health spokesman Paul Burstow.

"If this target obsessed government fails to give matrons the authority to direct cleaning contractors and have control over the ward the fight to control infection will not be won.

"Ministers and the NHS are still in the dark when it comes to the facts on MRSA and other superbugs."