"Poor facilities for disabled paitients on some wards"

About: Royal Bournemouth Hospital / General surgery Royal Bournemouth Hospital General surgery Bournemouth BH7 7DW

Posted by ditsycat93 (as the patient), 5 months ago

I was booked in for a planned surgery and made it clear to the admissions team that I use an electric wheelchair due to cerebral palsy. I was assured this was no problem.
When I woke up from surgery I was moved to ward 12, where both available toilets were far too narrow for my wheelchair to fit, so were unsafe for me to use.
When I asked about a disabled toilet I was met with a seemingly bewildered look, a grimace and told sorry, but they can bring me a commode.
I find this unacceptable, and embarrassing. Why doesn't a hospital of all places have wheelchair access?

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University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 03/03/2025 at 17:21

Published on Care Opinion at 17:21

Dear Ditsycat93,
I am so sorry that this was your experience whilst being on the ward.
Having looked at the bathrooms on Ward 12 they are small and when they were built were done so to the specifications to fit manual wheelchairs. This is no longer a satisfactory size with the newer electric models like the one you describe as having.
The concerns with your wheelchair would have been escalated to the bed management team who would have enquired about the possibility of other beds in the Trust. I am so sorry if another bed was not available or if the clinical decision was made to have your care managed on the surgical specialty ward.
Most wards do have a bathroom large enough to accommodate an electric wheelchair. I am so sorry the particular ward you were admitted to wasn't accommodating enough for your electric wheelchair. If you ever require further hospital treatment please do get in touch via the PALS team by email to patientexperienceteam@uhd.nhs.uk and we can advise the ward or care group so that staff can get in touch and make any reasonable adjustments as best they can for your stay.
Please accept my apologies on behalf on the Trust for your experiences.
With Kind Regards
The Patient experience Team

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