This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"Accessible toilet which is inaccessible"

About: Broadford Hospital, Isle of Skye

(as the patient),

The new Broadford Hospital on the Isle of Skye opened in March 2022 and the one accessible WC for outpatients has a sliding door (it should have an outward opening door). When the sliding door is actually working (a very rare occurrence) the door does not slide open far enough to be able to admit a wheelchair, so it isn't accessible. The sliding door mechanism fails frequently so no one (even non disabled people) can use the toilet because it is almost permanently 'Out of Order' and telling people to use the toilet opposite.

The toilet opposite is a Changing Places Toilet which is not suitable for independent wheelchair users as it has a room layout designed solely for profound and multiply disabled people to be assisted by one or two carers and does not have the necessary corner layout for independent wheelchair users.

When is the so-called accessible WC going to be given an outward opening door (which is what it should have) and become accessible to independent wheelchair users? What a waste of public money to provide a WC that can't be used and seemingly do nothing to resolve this issue!

NHS Highland, you assess us independent wheelchair users as needing a wheelchair specific to our needs, and you provide it, but you don't seem to consider that you have any responsibility to provide sanitary facilities on your premises that the independent users of these wheelchairs need, or can use independently. Why not? You have obligations under the Equality Act 2010 not to discriminate against disabled people.

Please address and sort this out properly, and quickly, in order to ensure that you welcome independent wheelchair users as equal and included patients rather than ignoring their needs.


Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Sylvia Fraser, Clinical Governance Facilitator , Clinical Governance, NHS Highland 5 days ago
Sylvia Fraser
Clinical Governance Facilitator , Clinical Governance,
NHS Highland

I am part of the overall team who manages complaints for NHS Highland and are known as the Feedback Team. We offer patients, relatives, MPs/MSPs, staff and anyone who requires assistance is registering a concern or formal complaint.

Submitted on 14/05/2024 at 09:22
Published on Care Opinion at 09:22


picture of Sylvia Fraser

Dear LS1

Thank you for your post highlighting the poor outpatient toilet facilities at Broadford Hospital. I am sorry that you have had to contact us in order to raise this matter.

I can confirm that this has been passed to colleagues in Estates and have requested that this is reviewed and fixed urgently.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for raising this matter.

With kind regards

Sylvia

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Sylvia Fraser, Clinical Governance Facilitator , Clinical Governance, NHS Highland 5 days ago
Sylvia Fraser
Clinical Governance Facilitator , Clinical Governance,
NHS Highland

I am part of the overall team who manages complaints for NHS Highland and are known as the Feedback Team. We offer patients, relatives, MPs/MSPs, staff and anyone who requires assistance is registering a concern or formal complaint.

Submitted on 14/05/2024 at 11:17
Published on Care Opinion at 11:17


picture of Sylvia Fraser

Dear LS1

Thank you for your patience whilst your concerns were reviewed by NHS Highland Estates Department.

I can now confirm that the toilet door located within the Outpatients Department at Broadford Hospital has now been fully assessed. This facility will be upgraded with a new replacement sliding door, which has been ordered. Upon receipt of the new materials installation will be completed.

All being well this should be completed by the beginning of June 2024.

I hope that this has offered you some reassurance that your concerns have been listened to, and remedial actions taken.

Thank you again for raising this matter via this portal.

With kind regards

Sylvia, on behalf of

Mr Steven MacKenzie, Senior Estates Operations Manager

NHS Highland

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k