Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of fully accessible toilets in NHS hospitals; and what steps he is taking to help ensure adequate provision for staff, patients and local communities.

No assessment has been made of the adequacy of the availability of fully accessible toilets in National Health Service hospitals. NHS organisations are responsible for providing appropriate toilet facilities for the users of their sites. This must be consistent with relevant guidance and legislation including the Building Regulations Part M, volume 2 and Health Building Note (HBN) 00-02: Sanitary spaces.

NHS England has included questions in their Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment data collection which includes assessment of the provision of Changing Places toilets, which allow access to toilets large enough to allow space for a wheelchair and carer, including staff, to assist when the door is closed.