More than £200,000 has been invested across Hull’s hospitals to improve accessibility, privacy and dignity for disabled people.

One year ago, it was announced that Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust would receive £105,000 of government monies to help create four new ‘Changing Places’ facilities across both Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital.

Inside the Changing Place at Castle Hill Hospital, near Nightingales restaurant

Changing Places provide the additional space and extra equipment which are often needed by people with physical or learning disabilities, as well as those with debilitating conditions such as muscular dystrophy and MS, to be able to use public toilets safely and comfortably.

The Trust match-funded the central allocation and now, thanks to the hard work of its capital projects and estates teams, can boast four new Changing Places across its hospitals in Hull and Cottingham.

Alex Best, Capital Development Manager for the trust says:

“We’re really proud to have been able to create four Changing Places across our hospital estate.

“The facilities have been spread across the two hospital sites to try and maximise the number of people who can use them.

“Having had the issue of accessible toilets raised through patient-led inspections and our partners at the East Yorkshire Disability Advisory Group previously, it’s great to have been able to act on their feedback so constructively and make real improvements for disabled people.”

The spacious Changing Place in HRI’s Emergency Department

The four Changing Places have been dotted throughout the hospital estate and can be found at:

• Castle Hill Hospital – main entrance
• Castle Hill Hospital – near to Nightingales, the main hospital restaurant
• Hull Royal Infirmary – Emergency Department
• Eye Hospital – Hull Royal Infirmary site

Each Changing Place features a disabled WC and wash basin, ceiling track hoist, height adjustable changing benches and an assistance alarm.

A grand total of 1,555 facilities are registered on the Changing Places website, but fewer than 100 can be found on NHS premises in England, meaning Hull really is leading the way.

Alex adds:

“Our Changing Places facilities represent much more than an investment in our estate. They’re important as not only will they improve the experience we’re able to provide for our disabled patients, staff and visitors, but they can also now serve as facilities for the wider local communities of Hull and Cottingham.”

For more information on Changing Places, visit www.changing-places.org