SOLDIERS IN HOSPITAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17139, 19 April 1919, Page 10

SOLDIERS IN HOSPITAL

LACK OF ACCOMMODATION*

" IMPOSSIBLE" CONDITIONS.

WAIKATO BOARD'S PROTEST. [B? IEtEGRAnt.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Friday. Indignation regarding the Defence Department's failure to provide suitable accommodation for soldiers at tho Waikato Hospital, was expressed by members of the Waikato Hospital Board at tho meet* ing yesterday. A letter was recoivod from the Inspeo-tor-General of Hospitals, who forwarded a report from the assistant inspector to tho effect that the arrangements for carrying on the massage work at the hospital are unsatisfactory. He asked that_ better accommodation he provided, and said that if that were done an additional masseuse would be provided. Tho chairman, Mr. J. P. Bailey, said the Health Department had stated that it was going to build an annexe for soldiers and treat all soldiers in their own district, but nothing wat rime. The Defence Department then medf .< survey and did nothing more. Now thty wanted to throw the responsibility on to the board. Tho medical superintendent, Dr. Douglas, endorsed the chairman's remarks, and said the hospital staff did its best under the present conditions. When an officer had recently _ made an inspection there was no complaint, and many of the men said they received belter treatment ! there than they did in England. I The accommodation for soldiers was impossible, Dr. Douglas said. A ward built to accommodate four to six men seldom had less than 12 in it. Tho only j places they had for massage were tho and rotunda and ths anaesthetic room. This was most inconvenient, and led to hopeless confusion. About 140 men were receiving treatment, and whenever a ship came in he was asked how many mon ha could accommodate. He replied consistently " nono," but nevertheless men still came. The position of outdoor soldier patients wag also most unsatisfactory, many of'the men having to travel 70 miles once a week, with the result that tho journey did them more harm than any good they received from treatment. Tho Defence Department was now transferring mon to military hospitals, but the men did not like leaving thoir homes. Ho did not think it was any good building temporary accommodation, but thought the "best plan was to let the Department transfer the men to military hospitals. Members said the Defence Department had treated Waikato soldiers in a most parsimonious manner. It was resolved to request it to make proper accommoda- i tion for them. j