ARMY PATIENTS
MILITARY HOSPITALS
(Per Press Association—Copyright)
AUCKLAND, July 11
The policy to he adopted by, the Government in financing the construction of hospital .accommodation lor sick or wounded soldiers returning to the Dominion from war service, was defined by the Director-General of Health, l)r M. H. Watt, in a letter received by the Auckland Hospital Board. In the first instance the capital cost of buildings is to be borne by the Government.
Dr, Watt said the principle approved by the Government was that to the extent that additionalbuildings, equipment and furnishings could ultimately be used for civil patients, the capital expenditure was a fair and proper charge on the ordinary funds.of boards concerned. Beyond that special assistance from Government funds was called for.
However, in the present circumstances the raising by the board of large sums required by loan was too slow and the ultimate value of the accommodation for. civil purposes was difficult to determine at present. Consequently, the Government bad decided that it should bear the capital cost of buildings in the first place. Dr Watt added that plans would be prepared by the Public Works Department in consultation with the Health Department and the hospital board concerned. If at any time The Government determined that buildings in question were to be used for. the ordinary civil purposes of. the boaid, it might require the board to reimburse the Government in, respect of its expenditure according to valuation, at the tjme. Expenditure on general furnishings and equipment was to he met, by the hospital hoard in the first place, but any additional equipment which it appeared ~was specially required . for soldier patients could ho purchased from Government funds. The chairman of the board, Mr Allan j Moody, said ttiese and other questions relating, to the. treatment of soldiers were to he further discussed at a, conference between the chairmen of hospital boards and representatives of tbe Health Department.,
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Bibliographic details
Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1940, Page 6
Word Count
321ARMY PATIENTS Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1940, Page 6
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