MEDICAL SERVICES
EMERGENCY PLANS
SURVEY BY MINISTER
Commenting that it would be a miracle if New Zealand came through the Pacific war without at least an enemy raid, the Minister oi Health (Mr Nordmeyer), in an address, announced that 21,000 emergency hospital beds would be made iivaiiable if needed. The Ministe; gave an outline of the steps, being Taken to meet any sudden demand on hospital services. "The advent of Japan into the wai has brought home, more vividly the realisation, that it is probable casualties will be suffered by both the armed forces and by civilians within this Dominion before the war ends," said the Minister. "It is unlikely, of course, that we will ex~
pcricnce an attack 011 a :«cale and of the magnitude experienced in other lands, but it will be nothing short of a miracle if thus Dominion escapes without some attempt being made either to invade our shores ct to bomb our cities Irom the aii or bombard them ;rons the sea."
Co-ordination Scheme The Minister referred to the steps that had been taken to meet such an emergency, and said that a scheme involving the co-ordination of hospital facilities in contiguous districts had been so perfected that the public might rest assured that if any specific locality were attacked and casualties occurred on a wide scale complete arrangements would be made for dealing with this either in the local hospital, in auxiliary hospitals that had been earmarked for the' purpose, or in surrounding towns. Actually 21,000 additional beds cou'd be made available in the Dominion to meet an emergency. In addition, the E.P.S. organisation had worked cut detailed plans in every centre - for dealing with casualties that might occur in an air raid or bombardment. "I would like you to think of the splendid "work being achieved by doctors and nurses serving with the armed forces overseas," the Minister continued. "We have sent no fewer than 239 doctors and 400 nurses to care for our men, and the medical and nursing services, arc better equipped to-day than they have ever been for dealing with sick-
ncss and injury."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19420216.2.5
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 17, 16 February 1942, Page 2
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354MEDICAL SERVICES Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 17, 16 February 1942, Page 2
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