SIXTY BEDS WANTED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 226, 12 June 1918, Page 6

SIXTY BEDS WANTED

ADDITION TO THE VICTORIA HOSPITAL. Dr. Valintine, Director of Military Hospitals, has intimated to- the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board that accommodation for 60 additional beds is required at the Victoria Hospital. It is a tribute to the elasticity of our Hospital buildings that m far no structure has had to bo built specially for returned soldier pationls. When the men began to arrive back from the Gallipoli campaign, it was found necessary to provide liospital quarters for such ns required constant attention—cot eases. This was arranged by\ handing- over the Victoria Hospital for Chronic Invalids to the military, whilst providing the nursing stall' necessary. That building has now become taxed, and with the largo number of men arriving from time to time, a num'ber likely to be swolled as the effect of the severe fighting on the Western front and the consequent clearance of the hospitals in England to niako room for new-comers, to provide extra accommodation in Wellington. How that is to be done will be discussed at a conference between Dr. Valintine and the board on Friday next. It will probably mean an extension of the Victoria Hospital on Hie northern side (i.e., between the rear of the Children's Hospital and the Victoria. Hospital), where there is atnplo room for another ward. The assumption is that the Defence Department will pay for tho cost of the building. At the last meeting of the bonni, Mr. F. T. Monro suKSesled that the Government might arrange to u=9 Mm Macnrtliy Home for Convalescent Children \it 8i ,1 .- nmnt. which lins nnt bnpn the success anticipated. Were the idea entertninril seriously.. the Macarthy Trustees would liavo to be .consulted as tn an alteration in the conditions under >which the Home was given to the board.