Government confirms which 10 NHS trusts will receive funding to build Changing Places facilities
After the Government announcement in 2018 that £2 million of funding was being opened up to NHS hospital trusts to install Changing Places facilities, the Department of Health & Social Care has confirmed which trusts will receive the first share of the funding pot.
Over £500,000 has been given to the 10 NHS trusts in England to start work on installing 16 facilities in a bid to increase the number of vital toileting facilities across the NHS England estate, which currently sits at just over 50.
The investment in and installation of Changing Places facilities in NHS hospitals is set to benefit thousands of severely disabled people, with the additional equipment available in the facilities, such as adult-sized changing benches and hoists, enabling people to use the toilet with dignity.
People with severe disabilities, such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, and their carers say Changing Places facilities can be life-changing and allow them to go out in public or attend hospital appointments without fear or stress.
A further £1.5 million will be available for NHS trusts in England to apply for, excluding trusts that already have a facility, with the Department of Health & Social Care aiming to increase the number of Changing Places across NHS England sites to over 100.
The Minister for Care, Caroline Dinenage, is now calling for more trusts to bid for the funding and also for all new hospital facilities to include a Changing Places facility in their plans.
“People with severe disabilities deserve to live with dignity and independence, but lack of access to adequate toilet facilities can be a huge challenge. Hospitals, like all public spaces, have a duty to cater for people with disabilities – who risk discomfort, embarrassment and even injury without access to a Changing Place,” she commented.
“This funding will make a real difference to tens of thousands of people and their carers who use NHS hospitals and I am delighted that trusts can begin building work as soon as possible, with further funding still available.
“While today will help us to double the number of Changing Places in NHS trusts, we still have far to go – I expect every hospital development to include a Changing Places facility in their future plans.”
The funding forms part of the Government to improve accessibility and follows a 2019 consultation on whether Building Regulations should be updated to make Changing Places facilities mandatory in large, public buildings.
Such a move could present a significant opportunity to suppliers and installers in the industry, adding the toileting facilities to more than 150 new buildings a year including shopping centres, supermarkets, cinemas, stadiums and arts venues.
Last year, £2 million of Government funding for Changing Places across England’s major motorways and A-roads saw 22 motorway service stations successfully bid for a share of the investment.
See below the list of successful hospital bids and the amount of funding:
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – £105,000
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust – £51,000
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust – £34,000
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – £35,000
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – £40,000
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust – £35,000
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust – £97,000
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust – £60,000
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals – £50,000
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – £17,000
