READY FOR WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 5, 7 January 1942, Page 6

READY FOR WORK

HOSPITAL SERVICE

EMERGENCY SCHEME

Complete arrangements have, been made for emergency hospital services in Wellington and' the Hutt Valley, stated Dr. JO. Mercer, pathologist and deputy superintendent of the Wellington Hospital. "We are only one part of a New Zealand scheme." said Dr. Mercer. "A Dominion scheme for emergency hospital organisation was instituted two years ago, and the work of organising and laying by equipment has proceeded steadily ever since." Under the scheme, hospital boards worked in groups to obtain co-opera-tion. One group comprised the Wellington, Wairarapa, and Palmerston North hospitals. The Wellington Hospital Board had set up a committee consisting of the chairman, * Mr.- F. Castle, Mrs. Knox Gilmer, Messrs. H. F. Toogood, and A. P. O'Shea, to deal with emergency hospital organisation. Dr. J.Cairney, medical superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, would be in charge of all institutions, both permanent and emergency. BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. Suitable buildings in Wellington had been earmarked for emergency hospitals and equipment had been pla.ced there in readiness. . This included beds, bedding, operating tables, instruments, and a complete dispensary; indeed, all the items necessary to carry out full-scale modern surgical treatment. "In Wellington," added Dr: Mercer, "we hope to be able to use the main hospital for a^ considerable number of casualties if the need arises, tand our scheme provides for the rapidl-evacua-tion of those people whoican be.moved from the hospital without danger to themselves. No doubt .some" will be able to go to their own homes. ' and many others whose transfer will - not prejudice their condition will be accommodated in nearby emergency institutions." For more than two years a special training scheme had been in operation to provide nursing aids to-' work in the main hospital and the emergency hospitals. The scheme would ensure a supply of trained nurses for all- emergency institutions, and in addition there would be the , specially -trained so that expert nursing would be Available in Wellington for large numbers^of casualties. . .. " u-HHTU * VALLEY PROVISION. The' scheme' Included very complete^proyision for 'emergency hospital work in the Hutt Valley. Equipment for a large , emergency hospital in the Aower Hutt are* was already in position!..•■'-, ;'v\.i.' The hospital emergency-scheme was linked up with the medical branch of the E.P.5.,, which in Wellington was controlled by Dr. T. G. Gray." Cooperation between the two services ensured that the best use would be made of all available doctors and surgical facilities. Teams of surgeons and other specialists were provided for all hospitals, »and when-the word was given they would take up ■ prearranged posts in Wellington and the Hutt Valley. Each division of. hospital work had a supervisor, who would be responsible for the smooth running of accessory services.

The hospital would receive extremely valuable assistance from, special squads of men'from the St. John Ambulance Association. These were trained staff who would act as medical, orderlies and stretcher-bearers. Adequate provision had also ;.been made for transport.to evacuate jj&ijtents from the hospital. The stafftoi' the hospital had been ins|t.f',^ied::"in fire drill,' and a complete^ pjjjganisatiori set up for dealing witfi incendiary bombs. 1 "If it becalfr^^fiecessary to . move large numbers of patients from ■ the Wellington district to other hospital board" 1 areas,", said Dr. Mercer, "adequate provision is made for establishing institutions in other hospital districts." . ■ ■ .■ :■:■'.*.•.;. :. ■■ -: \-, :■'■■■:.'■ -