Access to public toilets is a basic human right

A CHARITY is calling on the Government and councils across the UK to open all public toilets to allow people with chronic conditions access to their basic human rights.

Throughout the UK, public toilets and retailer toilets remain closed to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Even single-block toilets specifically created for people with visible and invisible disabilities are currently not open to the public.

Crohn’s & Colitis UK claims this deprives the most vulnerable in society of the “simplest of freedoms” and forces them further into isolation during an already difficult time.

As lockdown restrictions are continuing to ease, people are increasingly being able to go outside and access more retail stores.

However, the charity says locked toilets are stopping many from going outside to shop for food, meet friends or pick up their medication.

“This has a significant impact on their mental and physical wellbeing – all because of the fear of going out and having an unplanned accident in public,” a spokeswoman from Crohn’s & Colitis UK said.

“As a result, people with Crohn’s or colitis are being pushed further into isolation, which is having a profound effect on their mental health at an already challenging time.”

Around half of disabilities are invisible, like Crohn’s or colitis. One of the most common symptoms is a frequent and urgent need to use the toilet.

Sarah Hollobone, campaigns manager at Crohns & Colitis UK, said: “It is simply not acceptable to push people with chronic conditions like Crohn’s and colitis from isolating further by continuing to keep public toilets locked.

“Although some people with the conditions are shielding, many can go outside, like the rest of the country, and should be able to do so for their physical and mental wellbeing.

“But by locking public toilets you are preventing people who urgently and frequently need to poo from going outside to exercise, pick up their medication or shop for food for fear of having an accident in public.”

The charity, as part of the Toilet Consortium, is writing an open letter to local authorities about reopening toilets.

But they say they need clear support from governments on this issue to offer guidance and support to local authorities so they can implement safe practices and hygiene measures.

The charity is also supporting people with Crohn’s or colitis in writing to their local MP, MSP, MS or MLA across all four nations to help support the opening up of toilets, enabling those with the conditions to feel part of society.