Jenna Robinson is a campaigner for hidden disabilities and better facilities
Jenna Robinson is delighted that Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital are to introduce stoma-friendly toilets(Image: Jenna Robinson/Humber Health Partnership)
A Beverley mum-of-three has said it is “great” that new stoma-friendly toilets are being introduced at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital. Humber Health Partnership announced the news today (Monday, October 12), saying plans had been developed for stoma-friendly adaptations in accessible toilets across both sites.
The facilities will include shelf space, mirrors and a disposable waste system to better support the needs of people living with a stoma. They will help people who have undergone stoma surgery following serious illness or injury.
Jenna Robinson has what is known as a loop ileostomy – a stoma bag is worn over an opening in her abdomen to collect faecal waste – following years of physical and mental health challenges brought on by the condition, slow transit constipation. She also lives with functional neurological disorder (FND), which can affect her speech and mobility.
The mum of two daughters and a son said it was “amazing” news but had been “a long time coming”. She said: “I work in the Trust that has got the go-ahead for this and I think it’s great.
“It’s going to help so many people, especially when they come into hospital for appointments and things like that. I’m just so buzzing about it.”
Jenna is a campaigner for better signage on all public toilet doors to say that not all disabilities are visible, and for better facilities in disabled toilets for people with stomas. She said she had been speaking to Hull Royal Infirmary “for a long time” about the situation with the hospital toilets.
“I went into a disabled toilet there and there was no shelf, nothing. I had to put everything on a bin lid, which isn’t great.”
Jenna said she urges followers of her Facebook group to speak up if they find something amiss somewhere. “I say, if you’ve got a problem with anything, tell them, they’re not going to do anything if they don’t know.”
Jenna said: “I’ve got East Riding Council on board as well with being stoma-friendly. They are now looking at all their disabled/accessible toilets across the region – the more people think about it, the better it is.”
Jenna said she was doing “absolutely amazing” in herself. “I’ve not been able to work for a long time and to now be in a job I always wanted to do is proof to other people that things can get better.”
Humber Health Partnership said it was implementing the changes after Hull University Teaching Hospitals were contacted by a member of the public explaining the challenges people with stomas face using standard accessible toilets. Tracey Thomas, secretary for estates, facilities and development, said: “For people living with a stoma, access to appropriate facilities is essential for maintaining dignity, independence, comfort and wellbeing while attending appointments, visiting loved ones or working on site.
“Standard accessible toilets do not always provide the additional features required for safe and effective stoma care. The adaptations we are making to the accessible toilets at CHH and HRI will include a shelf for equipment, a mirror positioned to assist stoma care, a disposal facility, coat hooks and clear signage indicating that the facility is stoma friendly.
“By implementing these relatively small changes across both sites, we can make a significant difference to the experience of people living with a stoma and ensure our facilities are accessible to all.” The first adapted toilet has been introduced in the Maxillofacial department at Castle Hill.
Signs will be installed on the outside of stoma-friendly toilets. You can find out more about Jenna’s campaigning on her Instagram page and via her Beverley Stoma Support Group on Facebook.
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