WOUNDED SOLDIERS HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2542, 17 August 1915, Page 6

WOUNDED SOLDIERS HOSPITAL

QUESTION OF SITE MINISTER V. HOSPITAL BOARD Tho matter of providing additional accommodation lor wounded soldiers and the manner in which it should be provided formed the subject of a special meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday. Mr. H. Baldwin presided, and the meeting was also attended by the minister of Public Health (tho Hou. G. AV. Russell), and Dr. Valintinc (Inspector-General of Hospitals). There was some preliminary discussion on the matter before the Minister and Dr. Valiutine arrived, and after the conference had assembled, Mr. C. M. Luke moved: "That in the opinion of this hoard it is in the interests of tho returning wounded soldiers that a new ward should be built over ward 4, with wide verandahs on each side of tho ward; also that tho new ward should provide for a small theatre, such a ward would be near the main kitchen and X-rays facilities, which is a matter of great importance. Tho expenditure of the money for this purpose will not be wasted after the requirements for wounded soldiers had been met, but would be of some permanent use; further, any money required over tho amount estimated for the temporary buildings (viz., the sum of approximating £7000), required to give effect to this proposal, to be provided in tlie usual way. by this board." The motion was seconded 1 by the Rev. Dr. Elliott. The Minister said that lie hoped to be able to arrange a method of distributing the wounded throughout the country instead of congregating them in three or four of the large centres. He thought that'tlie serious and difficult cases would tae to be treated at the large hospitals where they had highly qualified men, and where the assistance of t'lie City doctors would be of great benefit to the soldiers. Secondary cases might be placed in the secondary hospitals, preferably those near to their homes, so that their friends and relatives might be within reach of them. Tho board had already provided 60 bed's and ho was asking them to provide another 40, and here was the difficulty between himself and the beard. In the carrying out of his work lie would not approve of any grants outside what he was allowed to do by law. If he were to do that he would render himself hablo to receive applications from all over the country. To approve of a grant for a work, of permanent value he could not do—it would bo an amount for a permanent work out of war funds, and m that direction ho could not seo his way to make a beginning. Mr. Russell said ho was not wedded to the kitchen site, but quoted figures about a now hospital at Cambridgo (England), which had been erected since the war, showing tlio good work it had done—a hospital without a sou them wall at all, open to the air, and sunlight, in which 10,944 cases had been treated and only 85 deaths had occurred. Such a hospital could, he was informed, he provided at a cost of £6500. Ho said ho would leave the matter of tho- siteto Dr. A'alintine and the board. After some discussion, m which the Rev. Dr. Elliott expressed strong dissent to the Minister's proposal the chairman stated that the fooaid liacl made the offer. If the Government would pay two-tliirds of the cost, the board would pay the rest by raising a loan if the building was erected as on"inallv planned (extension of ward 4). ° Mr."Russell, in some further remarks, said that his "temporary" building would be good for from 20 to 25 years. When lis ivas Minister of Public Health before tlie Wellington Board had submitted a proposal for a grant of £12,000 —for forty beds! £300 per, bed He cculd not as Minister of Public Health ask the Minister of Finance to provide £12,000 for beds for 40 troopers. He pointed out that if the board could utilise the building it would have permanent value to the institution. Tho Government was prepared to provide the hospital and equip it (with fixtures), and also provide a- nurses' home. As to the maintenance of patients the Government was willing to agfee with tho board on any reasonable proposal. , Dr. Valintine stated that the board had always met him in the past, and he hoped'that in their efforts to do the best possible for the sick and wounded soldiers that the board would be unammous. ~ • — i * :Vs an amendment to j>lt. I/tikft s motion, Mr. Castle moved :— "That'tlie board approves tho proposal of the Government to contribute £6500 to the board, to erect such temporary buildings as -will enable the board to provide 40 additional beds for wounded soldiers." ■ The amendment was then put and earned, the.voting being as follows:— Ayes: Messrs. Baldwin. Smith, .Thompson, Campbell, Van Staveren, Petheriek, and Castle. Noes.: Mesdames Wilford, M'Laren, Platts-Mills, Mr. Luke, and tho Rev. Dr. Elliott. The amendment was then put as the substantive motion and carried, and tlie meeting dispersed. _