BASE HOSPITAL IN ENGLAND

Southland Times, Issue 24166, 1 July 1940, Page 4

BASE HOSPITAL IN ENGLAND

NEW BUILDING FOR NEW ZEALANDERS

UP-TO-DATE EQUIPMENT IN SOUTHERN COUNTY

(Official War Correspondent) LONDON, June 29. Mild sickness cases today entered the first New Zealand general hospital which is to be our base hospital in England. It is delightfully situated in a woodland area in a southern county which has been proved one of the healthiest in the United Kingdom. The buildings and equipment are brand new, a new hospital having been erected and furnished by the British Government.

The buildings consist of 14 separate single-story blocks each 145 feet by 24 feet. All are connected by covered outdoor passage ways. There are nine blocks of wards, each having 36 beds and capable of accommodating 42 with service rooms attached. The other blocks are used for staff duty purposes, kitchen and staff dining rooms. Fire resisting material has been used throughout. The wards are heated by coke stoves. Each ward has its own water installation. The operating theatre is centrally heated and thoroughly modern. The kitchen contains the latest gas appliances for cooking and the preparation and storage of food equipment. Throughout, the establishment is up-to-date and complete to the last detail. . The medical and nursing staffs should be completely installed by the middle of next week. Colonel A. C. McKillop is the officer commanding, LieutenantColonel T. D. M. Stout is director of the Medical Division, Major L. I. Hunter is registrar and there are 15 other officers. Sister E. Mackay is matron. There are 33 nurses and. two masseuses, all of whom were sisters when engaged in civil nursing in New Zealand, but in the Army Nursing Service the majority have the lower rank of staff nurse.