This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"Toilets which are inaccessible"

About: General Practices in NHS Highland

(as the patient),

All of the so-called accessible toilets at at my local health centre are inaccessible to me in my wheelchair and they have not followed the correct design layout. This was a purpose built healthcare centre, and I have been complaining since it opened in the early 2000's  that the toilets have not got the correct design layout for independent wheelchair users, to no avail. There is no room to get a wheelchair at one side of the toilet in order to reach the drop-down bar. Nor is there room at one side of the toilet to back a wheelchair alongside the toilet to the cistern wall in order to transfer across onto/off the toilet.

I have offered to meet with a manager in order to show them the exact problems (there are many, including a lack of the necessary full complement of grabrails) but they have not taken me up on this. Instead, managers don't seem to want to hear from disabled people about what they need (and seem to get it wrong). Now they have installed an automatic door opening system, which doesn't solve the problem of the toilet, nor should they be on accessible toilet doors. The button to operate the automatic opening door is situated where I cannot even reach it seated in my wheelchair. When a member of staff was passing and realised I couldn't reach it, they pressed the automatic door button for me and the door swung open outwardly with force, breaking my wheelchair leg rest. I am also aware that this forceful door opener has knocked elderly people off their feet.

I have had to soil myself and my wheelchair in that building when attending as a patient, because I cannot access and use any of these two  toilets which are not independently accessible for wheelchair users, as they should be. Please talk to me and permit me to show you the problem and get the issues sorted now.

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Sylvia Fraser, Clinical Governance Facilitator , Clinical Governance, NHS Highland 2 weeks ago
Sylvia Fraser
Clinical Governance Facilitator , Clinical Governance,
NHS Highland

I am part of the overall team who manages complaints for NHS Highland and are known as the Feedback Team. We offer patients, relatives, MPs/MSPs, staff and anyone who requires assistance is registering a concern or formal complaint.

Submitted on 15/05/2024 at 10:44
Published on Care Opinion at 11:49


picture of Sylvia Fraser

Dear LS1

Thank you for your feedback.

I am sorry that you have had to contact us again to raise your concerns.

I note that you have raised multiple issues regarding NHS Highland facilities. As you have called us, and confirmed your details I will arrange someone from Estates to call you to discuss these issues further.

With kind regards

Sylvia

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k