Changing Places Toilet at Victoria Embankment

dystrophydad

23 May 2025

Some things need to change

3

3

Date of visit: March 2025

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.

I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair

Overall Rating

Average

The Changing Places toilet is a reasonably new installation, which was opened just before the date of my visit. It's a welcome facility in an area populated by tourists, though there are a few shortcomings, which I'll get into.

Disabled Access In and Around

Average

There is level access from the street, however, you'll need to get the attention of a member of staff to use the facility as it doesn't use a RADAR key.

Parking & Transport

Average

There are several bus stops on Victoria Embankment, all well served by regular buses. Embankment Underground station is also nearby and is wheelchair accessible. Parking options are next to nil.

Accessible Toilets

Poor

The door to the toilet opens outwards and requires a member of staff to unlock, as it doesn't have a RADAR lock, which is a big disappointment. We don't want to tell strangers when we need to use the loo. The door is rather heavy, which is another barrier. This new toilet has many of the usual items you'd expect to see in a Changing Places toilet. It has a height-adjustable sink with a deep basin and a long lever-style tap. The sink has rails on either side and a mirror. There is space for both a right-side transfer and left-side transfer, grabrails on either side and a colostomy shelf – love it! However, there isn't a red cord near the toilet seat, and the red cord at the door is too short. The toilet is to a good standard, but the lack of a RADAR lock and the obvious safety issues of the absent and short red cords bring the score down. If these issues were fixed, this facility would rank much higher.

Staff

Good

The staff were helpful, though they questioned why I was using the facility without a carer. This is just a lack of training, so I wouldn't score down for this.