POLISHING OF FLOORS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22435, 23 June 1938, Page 19

POLISHING OF FLOORS

HOSPITAL BOARD’S RUBBER COVERING TO BE BOUGHT A notice of motion given by Mr H. H. Holland to rescind hj previous resolution calling for poUatylfig of floors in the board’s institutions to cease forthwith caused a long discussion at yesterday's meeting Of the Hospital Board. Mr Holland’s notice was finally withdrawn and tiie previous resolution amended by the substitution of the words “as soon as possible" for "forthwith.” Mr Holland, chairman of the hospital committee, said the principal reason for his motion was that the previous resolution was anal, and offered no alternatives. It applied hot only to the hospital, but to all the board's institutions. Because it was so far-reaching he wanted-to bold it over for consideration. Polishing of composition floors had ceased, and oiling had been substituted. Some preparation had to be used on these floors to prevent them cracking and becoming unhygienic. Toe and, heel plates on the shoes of persons walking m the hospital were one of the main causes of slipping. , . „ Sir Hugh Acland congratulated Mrs I. Parlane on bringing the matter forward originally. The problem was how to preserve the composition floors. Since polishing had ceased, the oiling had caused difficulties in keeping ward floors in the conditions required by the sisters in charge. . ... Mr J. S. Barnett said that within the last few days one nurse had fallen full length and broken a tray of crockery. He thought the polishing should stop “forthwith.” “One out-patient slipped and became an in-patient 'forthwith,' ” he added. “The weakness of the previous resolution is that it applies to all the board’s institutions immediately,” said Mr Holland. “What are the persons in charge of those institutions to use as a substitute to keep the floors clean?” . ~ , Members of the board would give the hospital committee every opportunity to make experiments, and put the results into practice, said Mr Barnett. There was no reason why the polishing should not stop “forthwith.” The chairman '(Mr li B. Evans): If the board is prepared to give reasonable time, the committee will deal with the matter satisfactorily. ' Mrs W. S. Bean said that the hospital committee, in its report, was recommending the purchase of rubber flooring for the entrance and to the operating theatre, where she thought there was the greatest danger in people falling. , Sir Hugh Acland suggested that the motion should he left to stand and the notice withdrawn. Every committee would do its' best to eliminate the trouble and report to the next meeting. , Mr C. Flaveil moved that the word “forthwith" be deleted from the previous . motion, and the words “as soon as oossible” Substituted. The motion was carried, and Mr Holland’s notice of motion withdrawn.

Later, the finance committee recommended in its report that the tender of Hayward Bros., for £lO9 Os 6d for the simply and laying of rubber floor covering be accepted. The recommendation was adopted.