"toilet facilities"

I raised the following issue with Ayr Hospital in July last year and then again in September. Both times I had a phone call in reply saying that my comments were justified and something would be done. To the best of my knowledge nothing has been done.

Ayr Hospital - Ward 16 - toilet and shower facilities

Recently I had a small stroke. After acute care in Crosshouse Hospital I was transferred to Ward 16 Ayr Hospital and was there for nearly a week. The medical and nursing care were splendid, as was the physiotherapy and occupational therapy I received and the food was excellent. I am immensely grateful for the care I received.

Even before the stroke I walked with the aid of a crutch / delta frame. Having had mobility problems for many years I am acutely aware of the suitability, or not, of facilities, especially in toilet and shower areas. My experience of them in Ward 16

found then sadly lacking in ways that are extremely important.

1 In both toilets the toilet roll is placed behind, and at a distance from, the pan, so far that staff have to tear off toilet paper and hand it to their patients. In a ward where many people have had strokes there should be toilet roll available within reach and at both sides.

2 The toilet roll dispensers are totally unsuitable. When a sheet is ripped off the following one remains inside the dispenser and inaccessible. When patients recovering from strokes, and whose balance is compromised, have to overreach they are in real danger of falling.

3 In both A and B the sinks are tantalising close the pan, but not close enough to access. And should a patient be placed in a chair at the sink to wash their hands the towel dispenser in B is far out of reach. During my stay I used a delta frame to access the toilet and had a toilet roll and hand wipes in it. That should not be necessary.

4 In a ward where many patients are in wheelchairs or need to sit to wash it is quite extraordinary that the only mirror in A is at head height and approximately 15 cms square!

Please try to imagine coping with these facilities when recovering from a stroke. The message the experience gives loud and clear is that you are unable to cope with the most basic of personal care and that is a frightening prospect when anticipating discharge. If the facilities were appropriate many, if not most, would realise that is not the case and look forward the retaining their dignity at home.