INVALIDED MEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 44, 2 December 1940, Page 6

INVALIDED MEN

SOLDIERS FROM OVERSEAS.

MATTER OF REHABILITATION.

PROVISION BY GOVERNMENT

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Day

A statement concerning the Government’s treatment of soldiers invalided from overseas was made to-day by the ’'Minister of Defence (the Hon. I . Jones). Full provision has been made for the treatment and rehabilitation of the men when they return, including medical, boarding and classification of treatment where necessary, pay or pension while in hospital, provision of mufti clothing, allowance, travelling warrants, etc. Unless otherwise determined bv the Adjutant-General no soldier returned to New Zealand on account of physical unfitness due to wounds or sickness is to be discharged from the Army until provision has been made for him under one of the following headings: Granted a war pension, replaced in his former civilian occupation or suitable employment, granted monetary benefit by the Social Security Department pending his return to civil occupation. Mr Jones said that in accordance with promises given when the different echelons left Nerv Zealand the Government would meet to full the obligations to the men who suffered in the service of the country. Immediately after disembarkation all soldiers invalided will be medically boarded and classified: Firstly, those requiring inpatient treatment in a. hospital o>r convalescent home; secondly, those requiring treatment.- Those classified as inpatients and unfit to travel and those requiring special treatment obtainable only at the larger hospitals will be sent to- hospital at the port of disembarkation. Those in the latter category will b G . transferred within 48 hours to the hospital nearest their homes at which treatment is available, In all. other cases the soldier will, as far as possible, 'be sent to the hospital nearest his home. Outpatients and convalescents will usually be granted one week’s sick leave and dispatched to their homes during this time. They will be medically boarded again if necessary. Hospital and convalescent home treatment for inpatients and all treatment recommended for outpatients will be provided free by the State where required. The best special institution, treatment will be given. Dental attention and artificial linifbs will be provided as necessary. . Full military pay and allotments will be continued while soldiers are iu hospital until they are plaoed on- pension. The invaliding boards null review, as necessary, the position of soldiers under treatment, making recommendations as to further treatment on sick leavie, ,return to duty or discharge. When a soldier is recommended for discharge the application forms will be completed at the Medical Board and forwarded to the War Pensions Board or Social Security Department. Other provisions include three weeks’ privilege leave on full pay for soldiers passed as fit far further duty and those recommended for discharge, also a month’s free railway pass, a grant of £7 10s for men discharged to provide themselves with civilian clothing, free travel warrants for men proceeding to their homes on disembarkation or on termination of hospital treatment, also free return railway tickets for the wife, parents or next of kin of a soldier in hospital who has been unable to return home.