TEMPORARY HOSPITAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 5, 19 January 1942, Page 5

TEMPORARY HOSPITAL

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

CONVERSION OF HIGH SCHOOL

CANVASS FOR EQUIPMENT

Within: the next fortnight, the medical section of the local E.P.S. service will take! steps to canvass the whole of the Borough for the purpose of soliciting beds, furniture, linen, cutlery, etc., for the purpose of equipping the District High School as an emergency hospital in the event of a case of urgency arising l . The plan whicli is> part of the comprehensive sclicmc to cover the medical requirements of the community in the event of epidemic, earthquake or invasion, lias been carefully detailed by the local committee. It has been found that the High School will accommodate from 110 to 115 beds. The nursing staff has always been arranged for, but the need for bedding and other equipment was a problem which was too great a one for the Supply Committee of the E.P.S., and so it was decided that a canvass should be made. Can You Spare a Bed! Householders will be asked if they will be able should the need arise to supply the following:— Bed (competely furnished or otherAvise). Mattress, linen and pillows. Set of crockery. Set of cutlery. flSTlie whole idea behind the canvass will be to compile a list of persons ready and willing to supply items

of the above at short notice, and thereby assist in the creation of an emergency hospital in the quickest possible time. Accommodation of Patients Another question which will be asked of residents will be their ability to accommodate patients from the hospital whose condition will enable them to be temporarily discharged. from the institution. It has been estimated that approximately 80 per cent of the patients, could without undue risk be removed temporarily to private' homes. # If therefore an action arose whereby the number of injured taxed the capacity of the hospital and its auxiliary buildings to such an extent that it became necessary to make room for the more serious cases, the committee desires also to have a list of available homes into which it could draft patients for the time being. This list will also be compiled in the process of the canvass. Gall for Co-operation.

In making this move, we would remind citizens of the utmost need for co-operation and assistance. The organisation which is promoting the scheme is entirely voluntary, and command therefore tlic fullest encouragement and co-ordination of the community Avhicli it will should the need arise, be ready and willing to serve. Who can say that the call will ever be needed to collect the equipment promised! On the other hand who can say that they themselves may not be a casualty should such a catastrophe occur. With this thought in mind we can be certain that the canvassers when they visit the homes in this borough, will be met with understanding and a full desire to afford the temporary hospital its full complement.