SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 22, 25 July 1918, Page 3

SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS

THE ORTHOPAEDIC UNIT.

(BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

OHRISTOHURCH, 24th July. At a meeting of the Christchurch Hospital and Charitable Aid Board to-day the report of the special committee appointed to consider details of the proposals made by Colonel Valintine in regard to tlie establishment of the orthopaedic unit at Christchurch Hospital was presented.

The following . telegram was received from Sir James Allen : "In regard to the orthopaedic unit and its housing in Chalmers Ward, I am quite in accord with the proposal to use the Chalmers Ward for sick and wounded soldiers. My Department thinks it unnecessary, however, to build other wards, and now proposes to make provision for a gymnasium, electro-therapeutic, and balneological rooms in the corridor adjoining our massage room, at a cost of, say, £1000; also a new workshop, costing, say,' £300; also £100 for the reappropriation of rooms in-the old residential wing, together with £500 for housing of the medical officer, this being an extension of the present junior resident officers' quarters, making a total of £1900. These proposals are subject to your board's approval. I havo consulti,ed the Minister of Public Health, and he concurs, on. the understanding that the Defence Department indicates how lonff the Chalmers Ward may be required, and the Defence Department pays the rent of a building to house those civilians for whom accommodation cannot' be found. I have informed the Minister of Public Health that the Chalmers Ward may be required for three years after the war, and that the Defence Department would pay the rent of the building." The new proposals were criticised adversely by several members. It was, however, finally decided to leave the whole matter in abeyance, in the hands of a special committee.