Changing Places toilets plan is progressing

An initiative aimed at providing severely disabled people with better toilets in Renfrewshire is on track to be completed in the next couple of years, council bosses have said, writes Steph Brawn, Local Democracy Reporter.

Back in 2017, Councillor Eileen McCartin lodged a motion calling on local authority chiefs to install ten Changing Places toilets in its buildings across the region by 2022.

A Changing Places toilet is designed for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as those with conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease, and multiple sclerosis, who cannot use a standard accessible toilet.

Some of the features include a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a centrally-placed toilet with space on either side, a large waste bin for disposable pads, and a screen or curtain for privacy.

Renfrewshire Council has now confirmed it has completed the installation of four of these toilets, while plans are in place for another six to be in place by 2023.

Councillor McCartin, who represents Paisley Southwest, said she was pleased to hear officers had taken action when she checked up on the progress of her motion.

She said:“I was delighted to receive information on the full list of Changing Places toilets throughout Renfrewshire.

“I am glad my actions in bringing this to the council have now resulted in such a comprehensive implementation by staff.

“Some are clearly still in progress, but knowing that this work is being planned and carried out is very satisfactory.

“We must ensure all services we provide can give such support to people of all abilities.”

The toilets have already been installed at the Paisley Lagoon Leisure Centre, the Linwood On-X Centre, Johnstone Town Hall, and the Castle Semple Visitor Centre in Lochwinnoch.

Meanwhile, there are proposals being developed for facilities at Renfrew Town Hall, Erskine Sports Centre, and Bishopton Library.

And there are plans in place for toilets at Paisley Town Hall, Paisley Museum, and the McKillop Institute in Lochwinnoch as part of the refurbishment of all three sites.