Changing Places toilet
3
3
Date of visit: November 2024
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
This review relates solely to the Changing Places toilet at the St Enoch Centre,
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
There is level access throughout the centre, with lifts to the food court where you'll find the toilet. I always try to use the lift located near Costa Coffee, as the main lifts get very busy. The lift buttons have Braille Markings and a hand on three sides.
Parking & Transport
Average
St Enoch Subway Station is just outside of the centre. Buses stop on nearby Argyll, Howard and Jamaica Street, and Glasgow Central Station is 322 metres away.
Accessible Toilets
Average
The experience at this Changing Places toilet wasn't the best. More care needs to be taken to ensure the space is not only accessible but also safe for all who use it. The toilet is accessed with a RADAR key, and the door opens outwards. The first thing I noticed was the emergency cord, which was wrapped around the grab rail. Judging by the dust on it, it had been this way for a while. This poses a clear danger to anyone who might fall and be unable to call for help. There is space for both left-side and right-side transfers, but the placement of bins in either space renders them unusable. One of the bins also blocks the colostomy shelf. While using the toilet, after securing the door from the inside by raising the handle, a member of staff unlocked the door with their own key and entered the toilet. Luckily, I was washing my hands at the time, but it should be standard procedure to check that the toilet is clear before entering. They did apologise quickly, but the experience could have been very embarrassing. There is an adjustable change bed, a large paper towel dispenser, and a ceiling track hoist. The toilet is self-flushing, with grab rails on both sides. There's a low, small sink with a lever-style tap and grab rails on both sides, as well as a wall-mounted hand dryer. I dislike being so critical, but facilities like this are essential to many and should be well maintained. One of the main worries for disabled people is finding safe toilets that they can actually use. In short, the location is well equipped but poorly maintained.
Staff
0I'm not going to give a marking here, as I know the entrance to the toilet while it was in use was an accident. The member of staff who entered was very apologetic, but it shouldn't have been so easy to access an in-use toilet.
