On Wednesday 4th January 2017, BBC Breakfast ran a news feature that focused on the severe lack of Changing Places toilets in the UK.

Despite the fact that over 250,000 people in the UK require a Changing Places toilet to meet their needs, there are less than 1,000 available across the country. Changing Places toilets are different to standard accessible or disabled toilets as they need extra space, a clean environment and the correct equipment, which comprises of a height-adjustable bench and a tracking hoist system.

The news team visited a Changing Places facility at Event City, Manchester to see first-hand the benefits of the facility that has been supported and funded by a local charity. Amongst the equipment in use at the changing facility at Event City, an Invacare Robin Overhead Hoist and Invacare EC Track system had been fitted. These products are ideally suited to this type of environment due to their ease of use, versatility, flexibility and safety for both disabled users and their carers.

The hoist, which is compatible with many existing manufacturer’s tracking systems and has a 200kg safe working load, offers a safe and dignified transfer with optimal user and carer contact due to the unique ‘Dual-strap’ design. The EC track system compliments the versatility of the Robin as it is available in a wide range of tracking options to ensure it is suitable for a variety of environments and uses.

If you are interested in hearing more about the Robin or EC track, require an assessment or home survey, then please contact a member of Invacare’s Safe Patient Handling team.

Call Invacare on 01656 776222 or e-mail safepatienthandling@invacare.com to find out more.