CONFIDENTIAL

No.573.

BRITISH

Date of visit: September 13th, 44.

Res. Laz. Kattowitz, Teil-Lazarett LAURAHÜTTE.

I. Res. Laz. Laurahütte was for several months notorious for the many deaths occurring in this hospital. Since on July 18th 1944 the previously French nursing personnel was replaced by British medical orderlies the general situation has very much improved. This lazaret forms the surgical section of Res. Laz. Kattowitz. A small one-storied building within the grounds of the lazaret is reserved for British, Italian and Russian Prisoners of War as well as an ordinary wooden barrack for exclusive use of the Russians. In the two remaining large buildings are hospital accommodations for German soldiers. Medical attention is given by the above named two German doctors and of course the British medical orderlies.

II. On the day of visit there were

                21 British patients and

                  6 British medical orderlies, besides a number of Italians and about 70 Russians.

        The capacity of the British ward amounts to 34 beds but this ward has at the same time to be used by Italians.

III. The left wing of the building holds two wards, the first for Russians, the second one which is a little bit larger, British and Italians. Further on, are the sleeping rooms for the orderlies, bath-room and latrines. The right wing of the hospital is divided into a large medical inspection room, a waiting room, an office for the German Medical Officer, bath-room and latrines. The wards are furnished with double-tier wooden beds, with mattresses, pillows, bed-linen and 2-3 blankets per man, few stools and tables, no cupboards. There is electric light and central heating which started on the 15th of this month.

IV. In order. Wash-basins are available for the men unable to get out of the beds.

V. Some of the urinals and toilet-seats are in bad state but the remaining ones are still sufficient in number for the patients present.

VI. The food is said to be very good. It is drawn from the hospital kitchen. Red Cross parcels are at hand, but no cooking facilities in this building. Up to now these food items were sent to the German kitchen every morning and could be drawn from there in the afternoon. The Delegate applied for some sort of cooking facilities within this building and the German Oberarzt promised to find a hot-plate.

VII. Medical attention is in the hands of two German Medical Officers and the British staff as well as some Russian sanitators in the Russian barrack. The Man of Confidence stated that all cases after operation are septic which he describes to the bad sterilization of the instruments. Besides that, the immediate surgical treatment has always been very satisfactory, but there have been numerous and continued complaints about the facilities for after treatment. This of course has stopped since the British staff has taken over the nursing. All operations and heavy dressings are made in the German part of the hospital. The British Man of Confidence states that the German Medical Officers are very reasonable and that he gets everything he asks for. The drug-, medicine-, and dressing supply is therefore satisfactory.

VIII. Satisfactory.

IX. In order. Done by the hospital.

X. Correct.

XI. The Man of Confidence is allowed to do some shopping in town.

XII. None so far.

XIII. The medical personnel has its regular walks, patients are allowed to sit in the garden behind the hospital. Indoor games and a gramophone are available.

XIV. Mail is reported to be very slow. No parcels forthcoming. Outgoing mail in order.

XVI. The only complaint was about the bugs which are said to be a great nuisance for the patients. The British Man of Confidence reported it several times to the German Doctor who did never believe him until one day on examining a patient the whole bed was swarming with this vermin. Then of course the whole place was fumigated but some weeks later the bugs appeared again and, as promised to the Delegate, a further fumigation will be carried out. Some minor points were amicably settled with the doctor i/c.

XVII. Although Res. Laz. Laurahütte has a very bad name amongst the British Prisoners of War of this region, present conditions must be called satisfactory. As pointed out above, they have widely improved since the British staff has taken over duties in this hospital. The Delegate was informed that this hospital will be closed for British patients as soon as the new Lazaret at Sosnowitz will be ready. Sosnowitz will be entirely run by British Medical Officers and medical orderlies.

(sig.) Albert A. KADLER.