Best practice for the provision of toilet facilities for the disabled has moved on considerably. Recently the ‘Changing Place’ facility has become a recommended part of the British Standard (BS8300). It’s not yet compulsory to provide this particular facility but it is necessary to consider the provision of one in all new build projects as well as retro fitting to existing ones.

The campaign for these rooms started about 11 years ago and has proceeded slowly until the British Standard made it recommended, even though it is not compulsory. The impetus provided by the British Toilet Association and its off shoot ‘the Loo of the Year Awards’ could bring it into the regulations within the foreseeable future.

The Changing Places facility is a room that is 3 meters by 4 with a height of 2.4 meters; The recommended equipment includes a height adjustable adult sized changing bench, height adjustable wash basin and track or mobile hoist system. Size I provides enough space to enable maneuvering room for a disabled person and up to two carers. A centrally located (peninsular) toilet with room either side for carers and a screen or curtain to allow some privacy. The aim is to provide a safe and clean environment so also provide wide rolls of tear off paper to cover the bench, a large waste bin and a non-slip floor.

Provision of some these facilities is fraught with dangers for self harm so initially it is in the more public areas where a ‘Changing Place’ facility could be looked at first. Such as visitors centers and public waiting areas. A good look and audit to see if the existing toilet facilities are compliant with Doc M standards would be a worthwhile task.

The design and equipping of this sort of facility requires in depth advice and specialist equipment. Clos-o-Mat is the sponsor of the Changing Places campaign and has produced the following advice regarding the provision of toilet facilities for the disabled.

In the visitor areas: you should ensure the Doc M facility toilets are truly compliant, or make it more ‘all encompassing’- so include height adjustable equipment, ‘wash and dry’ toilet etc.

Clos-o-Mat quote Prison Service Order (PSO) 2855, Prisoners with Disabilities, which states that disabled prisoners should not be discriminated against “in any aspect of prison life”. And the International Centre for Prison Studies handbook for prison staff minimum rule 12  “the sanitary arrangement shall be adequate to enable every prisoner to comply with the needs of nature when necessary in a clean and decent manner” and it also adds prisoners should have unrestricted access to toilet facilities….sanitary arrangements must be accessible, clean and private enough to ensure the dignity and self respect of the prisoner” Care and thought in the specification of specially adapted cells: height adjustable basins, shower seats, ‘wash and dry’ ‘mobile’ equipment that can be moved as required.

One custody unit that Custodial Review visited a few years ago had solved the problem of in cell disability provision by removing all the services from the cell and therefore ensuring that the occupant had to request to visit a specially equipped room opposite the cell!- A solution but perhaps not one of the best.

 Within prisons the tendency seems to be to concentrate disabled facilities in healthcare wings. With the dedicated disabled washroom- hoist, height adjustable equipment including changing table, body drier etc. However this is not recommended and was also criticised in a recent HMIP report.

Clos-o-Mat also provides all the equipment to complete the facility whether it is a Changing Places room or a disability equipped cell. Their comprehensive range of disability equipment includes adjustable height WC, height adjustable ‘bidet loo, baths and wash hand basins. They also have an ingenious track that fits around the wall at waist height. On which a variety of appliances for the disabled can be easily fixed. Such as height adjustable shower seats, showering utensil holders and grab rails for toilets and shower areas. This track could be fitted in areas that may house a disabled person, the particular equipment being provided on a ‘as needed’ basis. A unique body drier, height adjustable changing table and a ceiling mounted tracked hoist are also available to fully equip a room. Due to provisions regarding self harm some of it, such as the hoist, may only be usable in staff supervised areas. However the full range is able to meet all requirements that a disabled person will require.

For more information on the Changing Places room and provision of facilities for the disabled could you please contact Clos-o-mat directly on info@clos-o-mat.com, Tel 0800 374 076, www.clos-o-mat.com