We have officially opened a new Changing Places Toilet facility in the main entrance at RD&E, along with another accessible toilet and a new breastfeeding facility.

The Trust had received concerns from service users about the lack of accessible facilities at the RD&E (Wonford) and the Board of Directors previously heard a patient story from Ruth and her disabled daughter Rosie, who explained the need for this essential facility at the hospital.

In response to this and as part of delivering our Patient Experience Strategy, the Trust have improved the accessibility of our sites to all visitors by installing the Changing Places toilet, the additional accessible toilet and new breastfeeding facility at RD&E. We now have two Changing Places toilet facilities across our sites, with the first opening at North Devon District Hospital in 2022.

The Changing Places toilet has more space and a number of features to help users including:

• An adult-sized, height adjustable fold-down changing bench
• Ceiling track hoist
• Specially-positioned toilet for easier access
• Washbasin
• Non-slip floor
• Emergency alarm
• Privacy screen
• Accessible shower
• Colostomy shelf
• Grab rails

One wall has been decorated with a large photographic scene from Exeter, chosen by Rosie and her classmates. There is also a plaque to thank Rosie and her mum Ruth on the wall outside of the facility. The official opening was performed by Rosie and Ruth, who cut the ribbon on the new facility with members of the Trust team who had been involved in the project. Rosie used her Augmentative and Alternative Communication device to announce: “The new big toilet is open!”

Ruth said: “A Changing Places toilet is long-overdue at the RD&E. It makes perfect sense to have one in a hospital with so many people attending who might need this facility. Rosie and her friends have been so happy to be part of the project. Thanks to the hospital for listening to us.”

Andrea Bell, Deputy Director of Nursing (Patient Experience) at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is really fantastic for us to be able to officially launch our Changing Places facility at the RD&E after 12 months of planning and development. Changing Places toilets are really important to support people who may be limited in their mobility to be able to use equipment to help them either get on the toilet or meet hygiene needs. I am so grateful to our service users for their help in campaigning for this facility and their support in the design and final space.”

Photo of the official opening of the Changing Places Toilet at the RD&E with:

Richard Tomlinson, Consultant Paediatrician; Tracey Godbeer, Paediatric Health Care Assistant; Rosie and Ruth; Andrea Bell, Deputy Director of Nursing (Patient Experience); Adrian Harris, Chief Medical Officer; Dave McMorrow, Manual Handling Trainer; Catherine Kinsey, Voluntary Services Manager; Sharifa Milford Al Hashemy, Inclusion Lead Eastern.