Ever increasing needs

In 1917, the Military Hospitals Commission also had to cope with a crisis which would shape its policy for years to come. After the shock of the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916, the number of casualties exceeded England's and Canada's capacity to care for the wounded. The Commission realized that, apart from the newly acquired Strathcona Hospital near Edmonton, it had no hospital facilities in operation.

Winter was coming, and the ports of Halifax and Québec City were not ready to receive the wounded. Nor were the ten hospital rail cars ordered from Canadian Pacific and Intercolonial Railways ready. In that same year, the Commission began to plan so as not to be caught unprepared. During that Summer, the first military convalescent hospital to be built rapidly and economically was Camp Hill in Halifax.

Like the other military hospitals which would appear throughout the country, Camp Hill included residences for officers and staff, a professional training centre and a recreation hall. Sites were chosen for their attractiveness and accessibility by road or rail. During the Summer of 1917, the Commission undertook more construction projects than any other Canadian government department.

Thanks to the new facilities, the Commission was able to respond to the demand. Whereas only 5,600 beds were available in mid-1917, the end of year total was 13,802 of which 1,428 were for tubercular patients. The number of patients rose from 2,620 to 11,981. Philanthropy finally was replaced by professionalism.