MS reiterates calls for Changing Places toilets in each county in Wales

A north Wales politician has reiterated his calls for the Welsh Government to ensure the provision of Changing Places toilets in each county in Wales. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

During a Debate in the Senedd last November, Welsh Conservatives called on the Welsh Government “to provide a suitable funding mechanism and clear guidance to local authorities to ensure there is equitable provision of Changing Places toilets in every county in Wales”. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Their motion was passed unanimously. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In this week’s Member Debate on Incontinence, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood raised the matter again. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Intervening during the debate, he said: “I completely support, of course, the points being made, but you referred to public toilets. Last November, I led a debate here calling on the Welsh Government to ensure the provision of Changing Places toilets in each county in Wales, and the motion was passed unanimously. Could you incorporate that into the actions you’re proposing?” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Health Minister Eluned Morgan replied: “I can’t do that because it’s not my area, but what I will commit to do is to make sure that I communicate with the relevant Minister to see what follow-up has happened as a result of that debate.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Speaking afterwards, Mr Isherwood said: “As I have previously stated, the Social Model of Disability says that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment, and the lack of basic facilities such as these are leaving people, disabled, trapped, isolated and dependant on others. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The current lack of Changing Places is a social justice issue, a public health issue, a Local Government issue, a building regulations issue, and a disability rights issue.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​