CAMP HOSPITALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12738, 6 September 1919, Page 10

CAMP HOSPITALS.

ALLEGATIONS OF NEGLECT. THE MINISTER’S REPLY. [Per Press Association*.] 'WELLIN GTON, September 6. The Minister of Defence has furnished a reply to the allegations made regarding the conditions of the Featherston camp hospital for tuberculous soldiers. He states that the allegations do not justify the description of sensational. There had been a lack of coordination on the part of those responsible for conducting the institution and arranging supplies. This was bein" rectified and most of the other causes of complaint mere being investigated before the delegation of returned soldiers made its report. The wards are considered suitable by an expert on tuberculosis, but it is admitted they do not reach th.c standard of cheerfulness which the Department aims at. At Waipukiuan specific complaints are replied to and it is stated that preparations are now being made for the transfer of patients to Waipukurau from both Featherston and Te Waikato, thus enabling the latter to resume the treatment of- civilians- It was admitted that there were minor causes for complaint, but these would have been remedied without outside criticism. The Minister is satisfied there was no reason to suggest that patients were neglected, or That their treatment was in any way prejudiced by the conditions at Featherston. There had been a change in the control of the institution since the visit of the delegation, the medical officer now being Colonel M’Lean, a Main Body officer* who has had experience in the field and as commander of the New Zealand Hospital at Codford-