Closomat calls for an increase in number of Changing Places facilities across the UK
Following a recent announcement with potential proposals for the Government to increase the number of Changing Places toilets in the UK, Closomat has highlighted the need for more, suitable toilets for disabled people.
Up to 6 million people in the UK are affected by continence issues, according to latest figures from the NHS.
However, for a lot of people, conventional ‘away from home’ toilets are still not suitable and they need more space and/or equipment – a Changing Places toilet.
As well as people affected by continence issues, Changing Places facilities can help a wide range of users, including wheelchair users, people with arthritis, people with learning disabilities, people living with stroke and people with muscular dystrophies.
“Inability to access a suitable toilet has a huge impact on a person’s physical and mental health,” explains Alison Bann, a nurse specialising in continence and the sales manager for Closomat, speaking at the annual Loo of the Year Awards 2018.
“At very least, someone who has a continence issue will need to clean themselves. In severe cases, where they need pads or nappies, that will need to be changed. How do you do any of those in a conventional toilet? You need at least more space. You potentially need a suitable surface on which to lie (or be laid) whilst changing a pad or nappy.
“If you can’t find that, you face the embarrassment of being dirty until you can find somewhere suitable. That impacts on you, the people with you and around you, physically and mentally. Yet it can be avoided so easily, just by changing how we specify and design toilets away from home.”
Under current Building Regulations and British Standards, a Changing Places should be provided in any facilities to which numbers of the public have access, and/or spend a length of time.
It should be in addition to any wheelchair-accessible toilets, and, as a minimum, be 12m2, with a ceiling track hoist, peninsular toilet and adult-sized height adjustable changing bed.
The Toilets Provision & Accessibility Bill currently going through Parliament will, if enacted, upgrade that to a compulsory requirement.
Closomat is a provider of accessible toileting solutions, at home and away, including Changing Places and Space to Change toilets.
Uniquely, the company can provide an in-house, ‘one- stop-shop’ complete CDM compliant package for ‘away from home’ assisted accessible toilet facilities, from design and commissioning, through to project management, supply and installation. It can also provide subsequent service, maintenance and repair.
https://thiis.co.uk/closomat-calls-for-an-increase-in-number-of-changing-places-facilities-across-the-uk/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Closomat-Changing-Places.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Closomat-Changing-Places-150x150.jpgGovernment & Local AuthoritiesNewsroomSupplier Newsaccessible bathroom,accessible toilets,changing places,Changing Places toilets,Closomat,continence issues,Disability,Loo of the Year Awards,NHS,physical disabilities,UK Government,wheelchair-accessibleFollowing a recent announcement with potential proposals for the Government to increase the number of Changing Places toilets in the UK, Closomat has highlighted the need for more, suitable toilets for disabled people. Up to 6 million people in the UK are affected by continence issues, according to latest figures...Sarah SarsbySarah Sarsbysarah@thiis.co.ukEditorTHIIS Magazine