The Salmon report in 1966 was the death knell for nursing as was. It recommended that matrons should no longer be necessary and that hygiene, food etc should be taken care of by housekeepers employed by the ward sister - this would release nurses up to do more "important" tasks.
However it took a good few years before matrons were phased out to be replaced by "nursing officers"
As for cleaning, food etc... well Mrs Thatcher introduced the internal market to the NHS and cleaning, catering, linen and portering was sold to the lowest bidder.
The health service nowadays is more open and transparent and poor care is always brought to light - as are dirty hospitals.
Nursing nowadays is tough - we are not allowed to laugh, we are not even allowed a drink of water on the wards and the public watch our every move.
Most nurses I know nowadays feel like public enemy number one.