Changing Places Toilets: planning guide

CPTs

What are CPTs?

Many disabled people, particularly those with multiple and complex needs, cannot use public toilets or standard accessible toilets because these facilities do not meet their needs. CPTs are larger, accessible toilets designed so that

children and adults, who may need carer support, appropriate equipment and more space, can use toilet facilities in public venues or spaces. CPTs have some key design features which differ from a standard accessible toilet. Compared to a standard accessible toilet, a CPT:

• is larger (12m2) to allow sufficient turning room for larger-power wheelchairs, accompanying carers, or family members, as well as the specialist equipment required;
• has a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench to enable people who are unable to sit on the toilet to lie down while being changed or having their personal care needs attended to;
• has a ceiling hoist to lift people out of their wheelchairs onto a changing bench or toilet safely and securely, depending on their needs; and,
• has a centrally placed peninsular toilet which allows for access either side for people who require support from both sides.

Who uses CPTs?

CPTs offer a vital facility to thousands of disabled people and their families and carers whose needs cannot be met in current public toilet provision. This includes, but is not limited to:

• people with profound or multiple learning disabilities;
• people with muscular dystrophy;
• older people;
• Veterans;
• people with limited mobility or who require the use of a larger wheelchair; and
• people who require a calm and quiet environment and may have sensory sensitivities.

CPTs are essential to ensuring equitable access to places and buildings.

“We rely on Changing Places Toilets as a family because without them we must cut our days short or change our son on a toilet floor. This issue impacts us all hugely. It’s heartbreaking to have to put your child through something so undignified and unhygienic when going to the toilet is a basic human right. And it is extremely upsetting for our daughter to witness how differently her brother is treated simply because he is disabled. Our fear is as he grows older his world will shrink unless the provision of Changing Places Toilets increases to meet his needs.”

Why are CPTs needed?

We know that the demand for CPTs in Scotland is much higher than the current provision. Where people shop, go out or travel should not be determined by their disability. Without access to a CPT, people often have to resort to:

• changing their loved one on a toilet floor or in the boot of their car, which is unsanitary and risks injury to the disabled person and carer when lifting out of a wheelchair;
• sitting in soiled clothing until a suitable toilet is found or they return home;
• dehydrating themselves to avoid needing to use a toilet on a day out;
• simply not going out due to the lack of fully accessible toilet facilities; and,
• in some cases, surgery such as catheter insertion as a long-term solution.

Many people are rendered ‘socially incontinent’ simply because there are no suitable public toilets. This is unacceptable. It does not respect human rights, does not afford dignity and impacts on health and wellbeing.

The provision and geographical spread of CPTs across Scotland needs to be increased so that disabled people can take part in everyday activities with the same dignity as everyone else. The provision of CPTs can be life changing for disabled people as these facilities allow people to access employment, leisure and travel opportunities, enabling them to live healthy and active lives.

Where CPTs should be built

Anywhere the public has access should be considering the requirement of installing a CPT. This could range from town centres, shopping centres, museums, train stations, airports and hospitals, to parks and beaches, sports centres, entertainment facilities and much more.

The UK Changing Places Consortium commissioned research demonstrating where people need CPTs in the UK.

CPTs can be built anywhere – creativity and flexibility have proven that anywhere can be adapted to fit a CPT.

Case Study – Serco NorthLink Ferries

A key priority within Going Further: Scotland’s Accessible Travel Framework is to increase CPT provision across key transport hubs. Serco operate the lifeline Northern Isles ferry service for passengers and freight between the Scottish mainland (Scrabster and Aberdeen harbours) and the Orkney (Stromness and Kirkwall harbours) and Shetland Islands (Lerwick harbour), providing essential access and supplies for islanders.

The NorthLink ferry fleet comprises three vessels, MV Hamnavoe, MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey. In 2019, NorthLink ferries approached Scottish charity PAMIS, the lead organisation in Scotland for Changing Places Toilets, to explore opportunities for installing CPTs onboard their ships. With some significant design challenges around securing the equipment during rough sea crossings, as well as restrictions around space and available ceiling height, the NorthLink design team successfully found solutions and developed plans that were fully compliant with British Standards. The build phase of this project also presented challenges as ferries have a limited time at dry dock when adaptation work can be completed. The NorthLink ferry fleet now all have CPTs on board and were the first UK ferry operator to invest in CPTs on their ships. Making journeys for essential healthcare and leisure opportunities is now easier for families but the toilet facilities have also made the beautiful Northern Isles more accessible for tourists.

Mum and carer Jenny Whinnet (pictured):

“This is an exciting development for families and carers. It permits people who need these facilities to travel further afield confidently and with dignity. This is very different to a few years ago when it was so difficult for me to travel with my son because there were no Changing Places Toilets available.”

“I’m very pleased to see these new facilities up and running on board both the NorthLink passenger ferries serving the Aberdeen to Northern Isles routes. We know accessible travel not only enables people to enjoy equal access to our beautiful country, but it also enables people to fully participate in society and improve the quality of their lives, so we want to continue to identify and remove any disabling barriers which prevent people from making journeys or lead to them having an unpleasant time on board. It’s very important that Scotland’s ferry services are fully accessible, offering the best passenger experience possible to everyone and this targeted investment marks very welcome progress on that journey.”

Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands (2019):

Case Study – Ullapool Harbour

Ullapool is the mainland port for ferry services to the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles and also serves as a port for cruise liners with over a quarter of a million passengers using the ferry services each year. Ullapool Harbour Trust refurbished the public toilets and incorporated a new CPT facility within the existing building with dedicated parking space outside.

Kevin Peach, Harbourmaster:

“The end result is a lovely CPT facility housed in the previously derelict and neglected lower floor of the village’s public toilets building, owned by Highland Council. We have a visitor book inside and those that use it are so appreciative of the clean and functional space. I’ve chatted to a number of people who care for those with severe disabilities and they mentioned the CPT network very much influencing their holiday destination choice.”