Change in law would boost those most in need

A change in the law is being proposed to help more people in Paisley and across Scotland with complex care needs to take part in everyday activities by increasing the number of special loos.

Changing Places Toilets (CPTs) offer larger, supported facilities that address the needs of people for whom current accessible sanitary accommodation is inadequate.

A network of nearly 200 Changing Places Toilets exists across Scotland but there is no current legislation requiring their provision within buildings.

At the moment there are CPT facilities in Paisley at The Lagoon leisure centre and Glasgow Airport, as well as Linwood’s ON-X leisure centre, Braehead shopping centre, Barrhead Resource Centre and Barrhead Health and Care Centre.

The Scottish Government has now launched a consultation on proposals to introduce a requirement for Changing Places Toilets through revisions to the building standards system.

Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Kevin Stewart, said: “These changes to building standards will improve the lives of thousands of families who are severely restricted by a lack of facilities and as a result find themselves excluded from their communities and travel.

“I strongly encourage people to take part in this extremely important consultation.”

Jenny Miller, chief executive at Scottish charity PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society), said the organisation was delighted that the Scottish Government are leading the UK in consulting about a change in Scottish building standards.

“This will enable some of the most excluded people within our society to be able to access their communities and take part in activities that most of us take for granted,” she said.

A Changing Places Toilet provides sanitary accommodation for people with multiple and complex disabilities who have one or two carers.

It aims to offer adequate space for a disabled person when they are not in their wheelchair, as well as their wheelchair and one or two carers.

CPTs contains equipment to enable safe and easy use of the facilities, including an adult sized, height adjustable changing bench, a ceiling tracking or a mobile hoist and a peninsular (centrally placed) toilet.

The introduction of regulations to require Changing Places Toilets in defined types of larger new building would increase the provision of these facilities nationally in a proportionate manner, the Scottish Government says.

To take part in the consultation, visit https:// consult. gov. scot/ building-standards/ changingplaces-toilets.