Accessible toilet facilities not a luxury, MHK says

A Changing Place facility will be installed at Noble's Hospital

Accessible toilets that "provide dignity" for disabled residents and their carers on the Isle of Man should not be a "luxury", an MHK has said.

The Noble's Hospital Charitable Trusts have agreed to fund a £45,000 Changing Place at the hospital, Manx Care has confirmed.

However Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall told the House of Keys his department did not have the required £100,000 for a facility at the Sea Terminal.

Welcoming the progress at the hospital, Sarah Maltby MHK said funding issues stalling the construction of a room at a "gateway to the island" were "frustrating".

Mr Crookall told politicians a business case had been prepared for a space at the Douglas ferry terminal, which was being assessed by the department.

He said a review had found no room was large enough to accommodate a facility with a ceiling hoist, and said proposals that identified the "most suitable location" would mean the relocation of first aid and security team rooms.

When challenged by Ms Maltby on funding for the scheme, the minister greed the facilities should be available but said "we haven't got that money, and we'd have to find it".

'Essential'

Ms Maltby said money being a "crunch point" sent the message that the government did not "believe fully accessible facilities that gives people with a disability dignity, and saves their carers from injury, is not considered value for money".

But confirmation after the sitting that a facility with a larger toilet, adult-sized changing benches and a hoist would be installed at the island's main hospital was "absolutely brilliant progress" and would make a "significant difference", she said.

It should be a "basic standard" to have such a facility for people who "will probably attend more medical appointments than other people without a disability", she added.

There are currently two facilities available on the island, at the Manx Museum and the newly rebranded Tesco store on Victoria Road in Douglas.