Smart thinking towards the future encompasses all…
Bournemouth City has refurbished and improved one of its busiest toilets as part of a £1m Smart Streets campaign…
Supplied by Total Hygiene Ltd, the UK’s leading disabled toileting solutions provider, the new accessible Changing Places toilet is sited in the Lower Gardens – one of the most popular public venues.
Designed to enable people who need the help of at least one carer to be able to toilet in a clean and appropriate environment, the Changing Places toilet is larger than a conventional accessible toilet and incorporates additional equipment such as a hoist, and adult sized height adjustable changing bench. Bournemouth has also redecorated the toilet and provided an on-site attendant.
To optimize suitability for as many disabled people as possible, the Council has further replaced the traditional WC with a Closomat Palma ‘wash and dry’ toilet, with touch sensitive switch. The Closomat (manufactured by Total Hygiene) can be used as a conventional toilet but also can wash and dry the user after toileting without the need for the user, or their carer, to wipe clean with toilet tissue, thus improving hygiene, independence and dignity.
Councillor Michael Filer, portfolio holder for Transport and Technical Services, said:
We are delighted to have carried out these improvements to one of the most heavily used public toilets in Bournemouth. In total £175,000 from our successful Smart Streets programme is being spent on providing first class toilet facilities. We are proud to be able to offer a Changing Places standard of facility right in the heart of the town centre to ensure we are meeting everyone’s comfort needs.
Since the Changing Places campaign began over 400 Changing Places toilets have been opened across the UK. In the last year alone, over 50 Changing Places toilets have been opened at venues across the country.
