Disabled patients, visitors, and carers at Stepping Hill Hospital now benefit from new specialist changing and toilet facilities on the site. The Changing Places room, developed by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s capital projects team with building contractors Tilbury Douglas, is now open and providing enhanced support.
The majority of funding and labour for the project came from Tilbury Douglas and their supply chain, with additional funding from Stockport NHS Charity. Local consultants and contractors also contributed. Representatives of Tilbury Douglas visited the new facilities to declare them open.
What Are Changing Places Facilities?
Changing Places is a UK charity working to make toilet and changing facilities more accessible for the quarter of a million people who need them. Standard accessible toilets often lack changing benches or hoists and are too small for more than one person, leading to dignity loss and isolation for disabled people.
Features of the New Facility
The new room includes a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, height-adjustable hand wash, and a tracking hoist system. It offers ample space for the disabled person and up to two personal assistants, a centrally placed toilet with side access, a privacy screen, non-slip floor, a safe clean environment, a large waste bin for disposable pads, and shelving for colostomy bags.
Located near the Poplar Grove entrance, the facility is open 24/7 and accessible with a RADAR key. Those without a key can ask at the volunteers desk in the nearby Oak House entrance (near Costa Coffee).
Funding and Support
Funding was provided by Tilbury Douglas and Stockport NHS Charity, along with donations from consultant and contractor partners: O’Neil and Partners, Wallace Whittle, C4 Architects, Alan Johnston Partnership Ltd, JPR Asbestos Services, A Copeland Group Ltd, and Meel Group.
Quotes from Key Figures
Michelle Waddicor, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust head of capital projects, said: “It’s very important that disabled visitors and patients at the hospital, together with their families and carers, have the same rights to the dignified changing and toilets and facilities which the rest of us take for granted. We’re delighted we’re now able to provide this. Our supply chain partners, under the guidance of my colleague capital projects Manager James Lee, have worked hard to complete this project, and I’d like to thank the generosity of Tilbury Douglas, Stockport NHS Charity and all our local suppliers and donors who have helped to make it possible.”
Martin Horne, regional director at Tilbury Douglas, said: “Tilbury Douglas is proud to have delivered these vital Changing Places facilities at Stepping Hill Hospital. Working in partnership with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and our supply chain, we’ve helped create a space that promotes dignity and independence for patients and visitors with accessibility needs. Building on our recent delivery of the new emergency care campus, it’s a privilege to continue supporting improvements to the hospital’s facilities for everyone who uses them.”
Kate Leadbeater, Stockport NHS charity manager, said: “Stockport NHS Charity are very proud to have played a part in providing support for this vital service for our community.”
Location and Context
Stepping Hill Hospital is located in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The new facilities aim to improve the experience of disabled individuals and their carers, ensuring dignity and independence.
