SICK & WOUNDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 125, 29 May 1941, Page 10

SICK & WOUNDED

CARE ON RETURN

APPOINTMENTS MADE

GOVERNMENT ACTION

The Government has made two important appointments bearing on its responsibilities for the care of sick and wounded soldiers on their ret -m to the Dominion.

Dr. D, Macdonald ■ Wilson, of Wellington, lias commenced wholetime duty as medical officer in charge of a special branch of the Health Department which will took after arrangements for the medical boarding of the men, their transport, and subsequent inspection of treatment. The other appointment is of Miss M. F. Barnett on the nursing side. '"The Government decided some time ago that when sick and wounded soldiers returned to New Zealand responsibility for the medical care of them, from the time of their arrival in the Dominion, should be taken over by the Health Department," stated the Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) today. "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-operating with the Health Department, and these boards will, in thenexisting institutions, provide for the medical and surgical needs of the re-

turning 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 pans lof the Dominion, and subsequent measures of inspection to see that ail possible treatment and care is being afforded to them. A special branch of the Department has been established to attend to this work. "ADMIRABLY FITTED FOR POST." "Dr. D. Macdonaid Wilson, of Wellington, hag been appointed Medical Officer in charge of this branch, and has commenced whole-time duty in I the department. His past experience as medical superintendent of the Wellington Hospital and in connection with 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 M. F. Barnett, who for many years has been matron of the Masterton Public Hospital, has 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 Burnett is well and favourably known "by t'lc nursing world."

The Minister added thai he was sure her appointment to this responsible position would be welcomed by her nursing colleagues throughout New Zealand.