INVALIDED MEN OF N.Z.E.F.

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 54, 20 December 1940, Page 3

INVALIDED MEN OF N.Z.E.F.

cions were being made to the public hospitals in Auckland. Wellington, Christchurch, and /Dunedin, and soldiers’ wards, were included in these buildings which would be ready very shortly. Dental attention and artiI ficial limbs, etc., as necessary, would I also be provided by the State.

Treatment On Return

Obligations To Be Met

The Government’s programme for treatment of soldiers invalided from overseas was announced recently by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones. He said that in accordance with the promises given when the different echelons left New Zealand, the Government had made full- provision for the treatment and rehabilitation of the men when they returned.

Full military pay would be credited to soldiers while they, remained as inpatients in hospital or convalescent home, and allotments to dependants and dependants’ allowances would also be continued till they were placed on pension.

Invaliding medical boards .would be assembled as necessary, at the hospital (or some, other place convenient to the soldiers concerned) for the purpose of reviewing the position of soldiers under treatment, etc., and to make recommendations for further treatment, sick leave, return to duty, or discharge,

Replacement in Employment.

PROVISION' MADE BY GOVERNMENT

■ “I want to make it clear,” said Mr. Jones, "that the Government will meet r.o the full its obligations to the. men who have suffered in the service of their country.” '

Unless otherwise determined by the Adjutant-General, no soldier returned to New Zealand on account of physical unfitness due to wounds or sickness was to be discharged from the Army till, provision had been made for him under one of the’ following headings: (a) Granted a war pension; (b) replaced in former civilian occupation, or suitable employment offered through the facilities of the State Placement Service, and other channels; (c) granted monetary benefit by the Social Security Department pending his return to civil occupation. .' .

He explained that immediately after disembarkation, all soldiers invalided would be medically boarded and classified as (a) requiring in-patient treatment in hospital or convalescent home, (b) requiring out-patient treatment, or (c) -convalescent not requiring treatment. Those soldiers classified as inpatients and unfit to . travel, and those who required special treatment which was only obtainable at the larger hospitals, would be sent to hospital at the port of disembarkation. Those in the latter category would be transferred within 48 hours to the hospital nearest [heir homes at which treatment was available. .

Any medically unfit soldier who had been recommended for discharge/by medical board, and who did not wish provision made for him, -would be granted privilege leave and discharged at the expiration of such leave.

. Tn all other cases the soldier would, as far a./possible, be sent to the hospital nearest his home at which he could be given the required treatment. Out-patients and convalescents would usually be granted one week’s' sick leave', and dispatched to their homes, and during this time they would be medically boarded again, if ' this was necessary for any reason in connexion with treatment;, etc.

Free -Treatment.

Hospital and convalescent home treatment for in-patients and all treatment recommended by medical boards for out-patients would be provided

When a soldier was recommended for - discharge by a medical board, application forms would be completed at the medical board and forwarded, together with all relative papers, to the War Pensions Board or the Social Security Department. In order to facilitate the granting of pensions and social security benefits, the Army authorities would make available full particulars of any soldier and his medical history and medical board proceedings. These documents would be accepted by the War Pensions Board and Social Security Department as sufficient for their purposes. »

Soldiers who were passed fit for further duty and those who were recommended for discharge would be granted three weeks’ privilege leave on full pay, and dependants’ allowances, if any, also a freq pass over the New Zealand Government railways for a period of four weeks. //"••

convalescent home who had not been able to return to his home, and further concessions would be made to relatives or' next-of-kin to visit patients who were in hospital in a critical condition.

free by the State. ' Arrangements had been made by the Health Department with hospital boards for the reception and treatment of soldier patients in public hospitals throughout New Zealand. and convalescent . in-patients would be -accommodated at Rotorua and Hanmer.

The possibility of some patients requiring treatment in special institutions was . appreciated, and this had. been provided for. The Government had been assured of the fullest cooperation of hospital boards and soldiers would get, without any delay, the very best treatment that was possible to be given.

The Minister mentioned that addi-

Subject to arrangement in connexion with kit deficiencies, a grant of £7 10/- would be made to men on discharge for the purpose of providing themselves with civilian clothing.

Free Travelling.

Free travelling would be provided for soldiers proceeding to their homes, on disembarkation or on termination of hospital treatment, to attend for treatment as in-patient or out-patient, or for , medical boarding and . when medically fit, to report in camp.

Free return railway tickets would also be provided to the wife and parents of next-of-kin for the purpose of visiting a soldier in hospital or

“I have given a general outline of the treatment to be accorded our soldiers on return to New Zealand,” said Mr. Jones. “The Army authorities and other Government departments concerned have worked out the details and will, in conjunction with hospital boards, administer, the scheme with sympathetic understanding- for ' the soldier.” '

It was found that an ex-serviceman, aged 58, who tried to rejoin the Army had stained his hair dark brown. So much for the saying that old soldiers never dye!