Service Patients.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1922, Page 4

Service Patients.

—.ete* —— DISSOCIATED FROM DEFENCE. .MEDICAL TREATMENT. WELLINOTON, July 3. Instructions just issued from General Headquarters stale that the medical treatment, etc., of “service” patients will lie dissociated from the activities of the Defence Department and taken over by the Pensions Department as from July Ist, 1922.

Returned soldiers making application for medical treatment on account of sei vice disabilities have, in the past, in accordance with instructions, made application to the nearest defence office, and have received from that office a Form lI.It. ICG, together with a stamp: eil envelope addressed to the A.D.M.S. of the command concerned, and have been instructed to take this to a medical limn for completion and forwarding. These patients will, no doubt, continue to make their applications to defence offices as they have been used to doing for so many years, and officers ill charge of IliCse offices will continue these facilities.

A.D.M.S. of commands have been appointed as follow:—Northern command, Colonel R. Tnicy-fnglis, C.8.E., N.Z.M.C. ; central eiitmnnnd, Colonel 11. J. .McLean, C.R.E., N.Z.M.C". ; southern command, Colonel P. C. Fenwick, C.M.G., N.Z.M.C.

The headquarters of the A.D.M.S., southern command, will be with Command Headquarters at . Christchurch, which will deal with the whole of the South Island as regards purely defence medical work. WHAT TO DO.

All correspondence in connection with the treatment, ettb, of "service” patients should he addressed to the Regis-trar-of Pensions in Auckland, ’Wellington, Christchurch, or Dunedin, according to the district in which the patient resides.

The telegraphic code address “Medse’r” will not he used ns from July Ist. Telegraphic communications concerning treatment, etc., will be addressed as above.

Travelling warrants (railway, steamer and coach) will bo printed on account of the Pensions Department for the use of "service” patients travelling in

connection with treatment or pension Until tiiesc warrants arc available, those at present in use will continue to he utilised, hut after July Ist all warrants issued in connection with this treatment or pension will he marked •‘pensions.”

Revised forms in connection wi'h the treatment, etc., of “service” patients are in progress of preparation, ! and will he issued as soon as they become available. Until these forms are "received, however, all concerned will continue as at present.