SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 208, 30 May 1941, Page 10

SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS

Care On Return To Dominion

FORMATION OF SPECIAL BRANCH

The format ion of a tqiecint branch of

the Health Department to deal with the care of sick and wounded soldiers on their return to New Zealand from overseas was announced yesterday by the Minister of Ilealtli, Mr. Nordmeyer. He said that Dr. D. Macdonald Wilson. Wellington, had been appointed medical otlicer in charge of this branch, mid that he had begun whole-lime duty in tlie department. Miss M. F. Barnett. Masterton. bad been appointed on the nursing side. "The Govern men t decided some t ime ago that when sick and wounded soldiers returned to New Zealand responsibility for the , medical care of them, from the lime of their arrival in Ihe Dominion, should be taken over by the Health Department,” said Mr. Nordmeyer. "The new soldiers’ clearing hospital now nearing completion in Aotea Quay. Wellington, is a part of this scheme. The hospital boards throughout the Dominion are co-operat-ing witli the Health Department, and these boards will, in their existing institutions, provide for the medical and surgical needs of the returning men, "The Health Department will fulfil its usual role of occupying a supervisory position by arranging for the medical boarding of the men on their return,, their distribution by rail and otherwise to different parts of the Dominion, and subsequent measures of inspection to see that all possible treatment and care is being afforded to them. A special branch of the department has been established to attend to this work. Medical Officer Appointed. “Dr. D. Macdonald Wilson, Wellington, has been appointed Medical Officer in charge of this branch, and has-begun wholetime duty in the department. His past experience as medical superintendent of the Wellington Hospital and in connexion witli the last war. as well as his long experience in private practice, make him admirably fitted for such a post. Dr. Wilson, among his other duties, will be medical superintendent of the new clearing hospital. “On the nursing side, Miss AL F. Barnett, who for many years has been matron of the Masterton Public Hospital. lias also joined the staff of the department and will devote part of her time to matters arising out of the handling of sick and wounded soldiers. Miss Barnett is well and favourably known by the nursing world.” The Minister added that he was sure her appointment to this responsible position would be welcomed by her nursing colleagues throughout New Zealand.