Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has opened its first fully accessible toilet, at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH).

The new facility is one of only five in North Devon and Torridge to gain accreditation to Changing Places, the national directory of fully accessible toilet facilities for people with disabilities.

People with profound and multiple learning disabilities or with physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis often need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.

The toilet on Level 2 at NDDH carries a number of features to help users including:

• An adult-sized, height adjustable fold-down changing bench
• Hoist
• Specially-positioned toilet for easier access
• Height adjustable washbasin
• Non slip floor
• Emergency alarm
• Privacy screen
• Accessible shower
• Colostomy shelf
• Grab rails.

On one wall there is a stunning full-size mural showing the beach at Westward Ho!

Andrea Bell, Deputy Director of Nursing (Patient Experience) at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to open this facility.

“We have been working on this for a long time, and we believe it will make for a much improved experience for people with disabilities and their carers when they visit NDDH.”

The official opening was performed by Ros White, a wheelchair user, and her carer Shauna Philps, who cut the ribbon on the new facility with members of the Trust team who had been involved in the project.

The new toilet is located in Outpatients B on Level 2 at NDDH. Access is by a key, which can be obtained from Outpatients B reception or the main helpdesk.

Full details of the facility can be found on the Changing Places website at this link

Changing Places uses its website to campaign for fully accessible toilets to be installed in all public venues, so that everyone, regardless of their access needs or disability or reliance on the assistance of carers or specialist equipment, can use a toilet facility with dignity and hygienically.

Performing the official opening of the accessible toilet at NDDH: Marsh Pullen, Capital Contracts Manager, Lisa Baker, Learning Disability Liaison Nurse, Shauna Philps, Ros White, Andrea Bell, Deputy Director of Nursing (Patient Experience) and Lucy Bates, Associate Director of Nursing for Surgery.