Care Opinion

Unsafe disabled toilet

Posted By Hoen825

"Unsafe disabled toilet"

About: Trauma & orthopaedics / Orthopaedic National Treatment Centre

(as a service user),

Today I visited the brand new NTC Fife Orthopaedics unit next to the Victoria hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. I was pleased to see the lay out of their disabled toilet until I realised that when you have to use toilet paper you will have to be a contortionist. The toilet paper is positioned on the backwall next to the toilet. I am flexible and could reach it. Many people, be it disabled or not, will have problems reaching the toilet paper. There is a great problem here and it could easily result in someone falling on the floor.

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Responses

Response from Fiona Stewart, Charge Nurse, National Treatment Centre orthopaedic outpatient dept, NHS Fife nearly 2 years ago
Fiona Stewart
Charge Nurse, National Treatment Centre orthopaedic outpatient dept,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 08/06/2023 at 10:43
Published on Care Opinion at 10:45

picture of Fiona Stewart

Dear Hoen825

Thank you raising this issue with us. I am sorry the layout is not quite right.

We will have this looked into.

Best wishes

Fiona

FIONA STEWART
Charge Nurse
National Treatment Centre NHS Fife
Orthopaedic Outpatient Dept
Victoria Hospital
Kirkcaldy Fife


Tel:01592 643355
ext: 22657
Fiona.stewart6@nhs.scot

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Response from Neil McCormick, Director of Property & Asset Management, Estates & Facilities, NHS Fife nearly 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Neil McCormick
Director of Property & Asset Management, Estates & Facilities,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 13/06/2023 at 13:08
Published on Care Opinion at 13:17

Dear Hoen825

Thank you raising this issue with us. I am sorry to hear about the problems you describe

Following a recent investigation, I understand that the toilet in question is on the ground floor, next to the waiting area. This toilet was designed as an 'assisted toilet'. Assisted toilets should allow access on both sides of the pan so that assistance can be given from either side.

I believe the thinking at design stage was that if the dispenser had been placed on the wall this may obstruct access on one side of the pan. This has clearly caused another problem as you have described.

We are currently looking into solutions including mounting a standard toilet roll onto one of the drop handles on either side of the toilet which is easily reachable by the user.

We will, of course, need to ensure that any modification is in line with our infection control policies.

I hope this is helpful

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