CHRONIC HOSPITAL WOMEN.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2488, 15 June 1915, Page 8

CHRONIC HOSPITAL WOMEN.

Sir, —The public liavo been informed that the women of the Victoria Hos. pital have been removed to tlio Home for the Aged Needy; but the public does not know that the latter home was already full, and that these poor invalic women are put into the men's sittingroom, where the fifteen or sixteen beds havo. to be placed almost touching where there is 110 room for lockers foi their little possessions, and where thers can be no convenience for those who manage, laboriously to write to theil relatives. I am sure tli© indignation oi everyone will be deep indeed, and wil] be Riven expression to Lll very forcible language. Mrs. T. C. "Williams auc others were instrumental in the Victoria Hospital being built for incurables, and for no other purpose. It is therefore improper to use it for anything else If buildings can be thus misappropriated there will be an end to all charitable work. It will be said .that this case is exceptional. It is nob. There w&s plenty of time to erect a builcling, a<nd thero are a number- of otßor places which-could have been used, only this was the easiest, therefore these poor invalid women are not to be considered. TVitli much labour some can be got tc the verandah, but when it rains they will all have to remain in tlio room tc eat,_ sleep, and live, if it be possible. 1 do hope that whoever is responsible fOl this will be Riven 110 peace by the general 'Dnblic until he has returned then own to these poor suifering women.—l am. etc., A VISITOR. Inquiries on the subject matter of this letter were made of both the. Defence Minister 1 (the Hon. J. Allen) and the Minister in Charge-of Hospitals'(the Hon. R. H. Rhodes) by a Dominion reporter yesterday. They stated that before the invalid women were removed from Victoria Ward they wore asked whether they were willing to give' up their quarters to sick soldiers, and whether thoy wore willing to move to quarters iii the Homo for the Aged Needy: They readily consented to make such sacrifice. as was involved." - Also, the old men at tlie latter institution jusl as readily agreed to give up a part oi their building. It is the opinion oi both the Defence Department and the Health Department tnat the measles ca-ses ought to be treated first at the Hospital; .jvlicre there are proper conveniences for treating them effectively ■When they are partly recovered, the patients , may safely be quartered -.elsewhere, in other buildings made available for the purpose. It is quite true thai the Victoria Ward is reserved, for' incurables. but it is also true that the Hospital authorities have power to use it for any other purpose should the neec arise. . It- is therefore quit© incorrecf to sav that the use of it to anothei purpose now for which the need was •sstremely urgent amounts to "misap iropriation." The Hon. R. H. Rhodes i>*ut the point of view of the Government this, way: "We have all to make nome sacrifices at this time, and these ild ladies who have been in Victoria Ward, are quite prepared to do theii part. lam sure, A.nd it would have been criminal on our part if, even at the risk of causing a little inconvenience'to these inmates of this ward, we had failed to make proper provision for our soldiers who are going to the front.!'