ORTHOPAEDIC UNIT.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16403, 24 December 1918, Page 3

ORTHOPAEDIC UNIT.

PROGRESS OF "ARRANGEMENTS.

Further details of the progress of arrangements in connexion with the Orthopaedic Ward for the treatment of wounded and invalided soldiers at the Christehureh Hospital, were contained in "the report of the Special Committee submitted at yesterday's meeting of the Hospital Board.

The report stated that six tenders wore received for the erection of temporary buildings for the Massage Department and the gymnasium, that of Mr J; L. Gant, at £1798, having. been' accepted. At a meeting of tho committee on October 29th, Lieut.-Colonel D. S. Wylie, O.C. Orthopredic Unit, attended and stated that to meet. tho needs of the Unit he would require at least 100 more beds than could be ,provided in the Chalmers' Block.. This accommodation, he suggested could be provided by the erection of a temporary building between Ward No. 4 and tho Chalmers Block; the question of obtaining the Government assent to ;the proposal being left in the hands of Colonel TVylie. .At a later meeting, correspondence' was received from the Defence. Department approving the extra accommodation for 100' beds at an estimated cost-: of £4503, the final plan being forwarded to Wellington by Colonel Mac Gill. The committee's-report was adopted. Replying to Mr S. Andrew, the chairman of the Board (Mr F. Horrell) stated t"hat the Hospital Board would find nurses and attendants, and maintenance, for which tho Defence Department would be charged at tho rate of 5s per head. Tho nurses in tho main institution would not be harder worked, as moro nurses would be provided. . Replying to Mrs Wilson, he said that more qualified nurses would be available than was the case during the war period. TEMPORARY SANATORIUM. The report of the Finance Committee, submitted to yesterday's meeting of the Hospital Board and adopted, contained the following clause:— "An application was received from the .Defence Department asking tho Board to allow tho erection of a temporary sanatorium lor soldiers on a portion of tho ground-connected with tho Sanatorium. In view of the fact that some time ago tho Board offered the Government tho opportunity of erecting a sanatorium on this site for the purpose indicated, the comftiittee hail no hesitation in anticipating the Board's approval and giving consent. The site selected will in no' way effcqj. the building proposals of the Board with regard to the oj>en-air home for children. The new institution will be entirely maintained and managed by the Defence Department, tile only other request made beiing that Dr. Blackinore should give to iiThis. personal supervision. This, as may. be readily understood, tho doctor is willing to do. It is intended to put up an administration block, with hutments of light construction, and the occupancy asked for by tho 'Department is a period of two to three years. Tho work of erection and the method of erecting is left in the Board's discretion, and the committee .proposes that it shall be carried out by day labour under the supervision of the Board's Clerk of Works, Mr Harrop, who has been in consultation with the officers of the Defence Department concerning the plans. A saving of time is essential, and the method proposed will undoubtedly, savo some weeks."