People with complex disabilities will soon be able to access state of the art toilet and changing facilities with the installation of Changing Places amenities at King’s Mill and Newark hospitals.

Changing Places facilities are different to standard disabled facilities. They have extra features and more space to meet the needs of adults with serious impairments such as profound and multiple learning disabilities, spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis or an acquired brain injury.

The facilities will provide:

· A height adjustable adult-sized changing bench

· A height adjustable sink

· A tracking hoist system

· Adequate space in the changing area for the disabled person and up to two carers

· A screen to allow the disabled person and carer some privacy

· A shower facility with non-slip floor.

Claire Henley, Learning Disability Nurse Specialist at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Trust makes every effort to ensure patients and visitors are able to come to our hospitals freely without any accessibility worries.

“Proper toileting facilities are extremely important and we are committed to delivering these for the people who needed them.

“The number of people with complex disabilities is growing; we are all living longer, meaning many more people are likely to need access to a Changing Places toilet in the future.”

The facility at King’s Mill Hospital will be available for use from 30 March, and will be officially opened by Trust chairman Sean Lyons on 31 March at 2.30pm. It is located opposite the main bank of lifts to the wards, just off the main entrance of the hospital. The facility will be accessible via the use of a radar key, which will be available from the main reception at the hospital between 8am and 8pm, or from the security office next to the Emergency Department at any other time. Users of the facility must provide their own slings.

A similar facility at Newark Hospital will be available in the near future.