West Suffolk Trust to invest £120k in Changing Places after grant & donation boost
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has promised its new state-of-the-art Changing Places toilets will benefit patients with complex disabilities after receiving funding from the government and a much-needed charitable donation.
One of 10 hospitals to receive funding for Changing Places from the Department of Health and Social Care, the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust was granted £60,000 towards its new facility.
The amount was match-funded by the hospital’s My WiSH Charity.
Craig Black, Executive Director of Resources at the Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this grant, and thank the Department of Health and Social Care for recognising how important it is to have easily-accessible toilet facilities for those that need it. We are honoured to be working alongside our friends at My WiSH Charity who are generously match-funding the figure.”
The specialist toilets are designed for disabled patients with complex needs and include additional equipment for people who are not able to use the toilet independently, including adult-sized changing benches and hoists.
People with severe disabilities, such as those living with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, and their carers say Changing Places in public can be life-changing and allow them to go out in public or attend hospital appointments without fear or stress.
Sue Smith, Head of Fundraising at My WiSH Charity, said: “We are very proud to be supporting a Changing Places facility installation at the heart of the hospital. We have wanted to be able to provide this for a long time, and now with this extra funding we can.
“The remaining money needed to fund this vital project has come from a legacy that someone generously left to our hospital. We are so grateful to that family for making this possible, and to all our generous fundraisers.”
Currently, there are around just 50 of the vital toileting facilities across the whole of NHS England estate.
Aiming to increase the number of facilities to over 100, the Government has created a £2 million Changing Places fund which hospitals can apply to, with the first £500,000 of funding granted in January 2020 to start work on 16 new toilets.
Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister for Care, said: “People with severe disabilities in West Suffolk 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.
“This funding will make a real difference to thousands of people and their carers who use West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and I am delighted they 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 Place facility in their future plans.”
The Minister for Care is now urging more NHS hospitals to bid for the remaining Changing Places funding.
https://thiis.co.uk/west-suffolk-trust-to-invest-120k-in-changing-places-after-grant-donation-boost/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/West-Suffolk-NHS-Trust.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/West-Suffolk-NHS-Trust-150x150.jpgGovernment & Local AuthoritiesInvestments & FundingNewsroomNHSSector Newschanging places,Department for Health and Social Care,funding,grants,hoists,My WiSH charity,NHS England,West Suffolk NHS Foundation TrustWest Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has promised its new state-of-the-art Changing Places toilets will benefit patients with complex disabilities after receiving funding from the government and a much-needed charitable donation. One of 10 hospitals to receive funding for Changing Places from the Department of Health and Social Care, the West...Calvin BarnettCalvin Barnettcalvin.barnett@bhta.comAuthorTHIIS Magazine