Wetherspoons Lifeboat features the first Changing Places assisted accessible toilet in Formby

A brand new toilet facility for disabled residents and visitors will be sure all their needs are met at the new JD Wetherspoon pub in Formby.

The Lifeboat- formerly Formby Conservative Club and named by local residents to reflect the town’s historic association with the RNLI, opened its doors this summer and now it features the first Changing Places assisted accessible toilet in Formby.

Supplied and installed by Clos-o-Mat, the Changing Places is bigger than conventional wheelchair-accessible toilet and also has a hoist, adult-sized, height adjustable, changing bench and privacy screen as standard.

JD Wetherspoon has conveniently located it adjacent to The Lifeboat’s other WC facilities. Users simply need a RADAR key to enter.

JD Wetherspoon Property Development Manager Paul Gillings explained, “As a company we pride ourselves on the quality of our toilet facilities and have won national awards for them. Toilets make a big difference to customers’ enjoyment of our venues. It is key therefore that we address all of our clients’ toilet needs as far as possible, hence our inclusion of Changing Places toilets wherever we can. We know that Clos-o-Mat will project manage that whole element for us, efficiently delivering a fully compliant facility.”

What is a Changing Places facility?

A Changing Places facility is a combined toilet, shower and changing room for use by people with complex and multiple disabilities. Standard disabled toilets do not provide changing benches or hoists. Most are too small to accommodate more than one person.

Without Changing Places toilets, the person with disabilities is put at risk, and carers are forced to change the patient on a toilet floor. This is dangerous, unhygienic and undignified. The Changing Places Standard is based on the BS8300:2009; however, the standard requirements above should not be regarded as a substitute for information included in the British Standard.

Changing Places toilets are different to standard disabled toilets, with extra features and more space to meet these needs. Each Changing Places toilet should provide:

The right equipment:

An XY overhead hoist system to allow the user's assistant(s) to fit the user's sling to the hoist and manoeuvre the person to the various items in the facility.

A safe working load is needed of 200 kg.

A mobile or fixed changing bench, height adjustable and a minimum length of 1800mm

A hydraulic/manual or power-operated height-adjustable washbasin should be considered for provision In addition, a shower seat is recommended but is not compulsory.

Enough space:

A publicly accessible space

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

A centrally placed toilet with room either side for the carers

A screen or curtain to allow the disabled person and carer some privacy.

To find out more, please go to the Clos-o-Mat website by CLICKING HERE