Wishart supports stoma-friendly public toilets campaign

Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat has supported Colostomy UK’s stoma-friendly public toilets campaign by writing to Tesco and Co-op. 

People with a stoma have additional needs when using the toilet, which can make simple day trips a potential source of anxiety when the facilities are not stoma-friendly. As it is a ‘hidden’ condition, people with a stoma often face discrimination, being challenged or criticised for using accessible toilets. 

Colostomy UK have a guide to creating stoma friendly accessible toilets. This includes providing a hook on the door, a shelf, mirror, disposable bin and accessible signage, for example signage that indicates not all disabilities are visible. These simple adjustments have a huge impact by making it easier for people living with a stoma to go shopping with confidence, knowing there are facilities they can use. 

Ms Wishart supported a Scottish Parliamentary motion lodged by Edward Mountain MSP, on stoma-friendly accessible toilets in supermarkets, and wrote to Tesco and Co-Op to highlight the campaign and ask that they ensure they have stoma-friendly facilities. 

Co-op responded to confirm that their current model specification is in line with Colostomy UK’s stoma-friendly toilet layout, including in their Lerwick store. Tesco responded to say they support the Changing Places initiative, which provide facilities that support people with disabilities and conditions. The Access Guide to Tesco Lerwick indicates the accessible toilet is in line with the stoma-friendly guidelines. 

Commenting, Ms Wishart said: 

“I am pleased to support Colostomy UK’s stoma-friendly public toilets campaign. 

“Everyone deserves to be able to have the confidence to go out for the day in the knowledge there will be appropriate facilities for them to use. 

“It is encouraging that our local supermarkets have accessible facilities which are in line with the stoma-friendly toilet guidelines. 

“Businesses that have accessible toilets can find more information about the guidelines from Colostomy UK.”

ENDS

Notes to editors 

Edward Mountain MSP’s motion on Stoma-friendly Accessible Toilets in Supermarkets can be found here.

Colostomy UK’s guide to creating stoma friendly accessible toilets can be found here.

The Access Guide for Tesco’s Lerwick store can be found here.