MORE ROOM NEEDED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 62, 6 December 1917, Page 6

MORE ROOM NEEDED

IN HOSPITALS FOR SOLDIERS

While at Rotorua recently tho_Minister of Public Health (Hon. G. V* • Russell) made un inspection of the sanatorium and of tlio King George \ Convalescent Hospital for retunted soldiers. ' ' ' , L Referring to what lie had seen at these places, Mr. Russell said yesterday that both institutions appeared to be'fully occupied, and it seemed to him that the question of providing more accommodation for our returning soldiers would arise very soon. Excellent work is being done in these institutions," said Mr. Russell, "but it is already quite evident that the present accommodation will prove to be insufficient for the large bodies of men who will be returning to this country in tile future. A considerable proportion of the men in both places are discharged soldiers, who are taking advantage of the liberality of the Government ill the matter of restoring them to normal health again. "Yesterday 1 visited the consumptive sanatorium at Cambridge. Some eighty consumptive- returned soldiers are at present in residence, and here also it is evident that more accommodation will have to be provided for patients of this class. I had an interview with the Borough Council and the leaders of the Patriotic Associations there, and 1 gave them an assurance that whatever was necessary for increasing the comfort of the men 111 the sanatorium would be done, At the institution I found that the place bore every appearance of comfort and good management. Considerable expenditure is, however, required to extend and improve the institution, and this work will be undertaken. I am ' satisfied tTTat. another institution for the treatment of soldiers sutfering from consumption will have to bo arranged for at an early date, and instructions will be given to the officers of the Department to select a suitable site at mice, in or3cr that the necessary administrative block may be built, The men will, of course, be accommodated in shelters of the type generally used."