New 'Changing Place' toilet opened at County Hospital

Thousands of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities are to benefit from a newly refurbished ‘Changing Place’ toilet at County Hospital thanks to funding from UHNM Charity. The large space is equipped with changing benches and hoists will provide a dignified and secure area for people and their carers to use.

The facility is located on the ground floor between the main entrance to the outpatient department and the passenger lifts.

Jenny Clarke, matron for estates and facilities at UHNM, said: “Disabilities can severely limit mobility and make it very difficult for people to use standard accessible toilets. People may be limited in their own mobility and need equipment to help them or they may need support from carers to aid them with their toileting needs. Standard accessible toilets, commonly known as ’disabled toilets’, do not provide all of the equipment needed and most are too small to accommodate more than one person.

“We hope that the availability of this facility will add to the comfort of patients and their carers when they come to the hospital.”

The toilet is available to anyone who needs it. A RADAR key is needed to gain access and can be collected from the hospital’s main reception during normal office hours or the switchboard room out-of-hours.