Traitors star forced to use floor to change stoma bag

Traitors runner-up Mollie Pearce is backing a campaign to improve public toilets

The Traitors star Mollie Pearce has appealed for better facilities for people that use stoma bags after several incidents in which she has had to use the floor of public toilets.

Ms Pearce, from Bristol, is backing charity Colostomy UK's campaign to make all public toilets stoma-friendly by including hooks, suitable shelf space, mirrors and disposal bins in every cubicle.

Stomas, which are used by about 200,000 people in the UK, are often fitted because of bowel diseases and are attached to a hole - or stoma - in the abdomen, allowing waste to be diverted out of the body.

"No one wants to be using the floor to change their stoma bag - it's not right," Ms Pearce said.

More than 60% of people with stomas said the lack of such facilities had a negative impact on their daily lives, according to a survey by Colostomy UK.

One of the biggest challenges is finding suitable facilities to empty the bag when in public.

Model and healthcare assistant Ms Pearce opened up about her stoma in the penultimate episode of this year's series of the BBC One show The Traitors.

"I really struggled to get my head around the fact that I was going to have a stoma," she told her fellow finalists.

"I wasn't prepared for it. Eighteen years old, you kind of want to be out enjoying yourself with your friends, not having this life-changing surgery," she said.

Mollie had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 11.

The autoimmune condition causes inflammation in the large intestine, triggering ulcers and debilitating pain.

Tony Beckingsale is also backing Colostomy UK's campaign to make all public toilets stoma-friendly

Others using stoma bags have spoken out about public toilets too.

Pensioner Tony Beckingsale, from Bristol, is backing Colostomy UK's campaign.

He has contacted a number of restaurants and shops, including B&Q and Morrisons, asking them to make changes to their toilets.

Mr Beckingsale, who was given a stoma three years ago at the age of 78 following treatment for bowel cancer, said: "Disabled toilets are brilliant but there are shortfalls."

He said businesses should install shelves for stoma bag users to place cleaning kits on, adding that this would not cost much money.

'Always listening'

Mr Beckingsale said people were presently being "socially excluded".

He also believes the changes would make customers feel more comfortable to go out, attracting more business.

A B&Q spokesperson said the DIY chain was "always listening and learning about ways in which we can improve accessibility".

The spokesperson added: "As part of our planned improvements, we are implementing colostomy shelves and bag hooks to all accessible toilets across our stores nationwide and are currently finalising the programme to make this a reality over the coming months."

Meanwhile, a Morrisons spokesperson said the supermarket chain was "working to ensure that all our toilets are stoma-friendly with a rolling programme of improvements planned over the next 12 months".