SERVICE PATIENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11252, 3 July 1922, Page 8

SERVICE PATIENTS

DISSOCIATED FROM DEFENCE. MEDICAL TREATMENT. Instructions just issued from General Headquarters state that the medical treatment, etc., of “service” patients will be dissociated from the activities of the Defence Department and taken over by the Pensions Department as from July Ist, 1922. Returned soldiers making application for medical treatment on account of service disabilities have, in the past, in accordance with instructions, made application to tlie nearest defence office, and have received from that office a Form B.R. 166, together with a stamped envelope addressed to the A.D.M.S. of the command concerned, and have been instructed to take this to a medical man for completion and forwarding. These patients wall, no doubt, continue to make their applications to defence offices as they have been used to doing for so many years, and officers in change of these offices will continue these facilities. A.D.M.S. of commands have been appointed as follow:—Northern command, Colonel R. Traey-Inglis, C.8.E., N.Z.M.C.; central command,. Colonel H. J. McLean, C.8.E., N.Z.M.C.; southern command, Colonel P. C. Fenwick, C.M.G., N Z.M.C. The headquarters of the A.D.M.S., southern command, will be with Command Headquarters at Christchurch, which will deal with, the whole of the South Island as .regards purely defence medical work. WHAT TO DO. Jill correspondence in connection with the treatment, etc., of “service” patients should be addressed to the Registrar of Pensions in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or Dunedin, according to the district in which the patient resides. The telegrajihio code address “Medser” will not be used as from July Ist. Tellgraphio edmmunioations concerning treatment, etc., will b«, addressed as above. Travelling warrants (railway, steamer and coach) will be printed on account of the Pensions Department for the use of “service” patients travelling in connection with treatment or painaion. Until these warrants are available, those at present in use will continue to be utilised, but after July Ist ail warrants issued in connection with this treatment or pension will be marked “pensions.” Revised forms in connection with the treatment, etc., of “service” patients are in process of preparation, and will be issued as soon as they ‘become available. Until Ahese forms are received, however, alre concerned will continue as at present.