North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has challenged the First Minister over the shortage of ‘Changing Places’ in Wales, highlighting the concerns of North Wales group TCC, Trefnu Cymunedol Cymru - Together Creating Communities.
Changing Places are fully accessible toilets for disabled people, with equipment such as hoists, privacy screens, adult-sized changing benches, peninsula toilets and space for carers. However there are concerns that there are still only 50 across the whole of Wales.
Speaking in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood raised the shortage with First Minister Mark Drakeford and asked when the Welsh Government will increase the number.
He said:
“Key to the delivery of the Equality Act 2010 is the availability of Changing Places fully accessible toilets, designed so that everyone, regardless of their access needs or disability, or reliance on the assistance of carers or specialist equipment, can use a toilet facility with dignity and hygienically.
“TCC, Trefnu Cymunedol Cymru - Together Creating Communities, a group of dedicated community leaders from organisations across Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire, have joined together to take action on the issue of Changing Places Toilets. They say that, despite assurances regarding their provision over successive Welsh Governments, going back two decades, including by some who are still Ministers in this Welsh Government, there are still only around 50 Changing Places Toilets in the whole of Wales.
“They point out that, although the UK Government has launched a Changing Places toilets programme, with a dedicated £30 million fund for Local Authorities in England, all we've heard from the Welsh Government so far is that officials are undertaking analysis of the results of a consultation on Changing Places Toilets and Baby-Changing facilities in publicly accessible buildings.
“So, when will the Welsh Government enable people in Wales who are not able to use standard accessible toilets to have their basic human needs and equality rights met; to enjoy a day out without the stress of worrying about accessing toilet facilities; and thereby to increase their independence and overall health and well-being?”
The First Minister replied:
“The responsibilities in this area lie with local authorities, and the Welsh Government funds local authorities to discharge those responsibilities.
He added:
“I don't disagree with the analysis that Mark Isherwood has set out, and, as he says, Welsh Government officials are tracking the money that has been made available to local authorities to see the extent to which they have been able to use that funding to advance the availability of facilities for children, as well as adults, so that those inhibitions on being able to take part in ordinary activities, which otherwise would be there, are eroded.”