Dorset County Hospital to install a Changing Places facility

16 April 2025

Dorset County Hospital (DCH) has been awarded £100,000 to install a specially built Changing Places facility for disabled people and their carers.

Changing Places toilets are designed for people with disabilities and complex needs who require extra facilities that are not offered in standard accessible toilets.

Funded by NHS England, it will include a raised height toilet, height adjustable sink, an adult-sized changing bench, hoist, shower, colostomy bag shelf and space for carers.

It has been constructed offsite and will be installed close to the drop-off/pick-up bays and disabled car parking spaces near the North Wing entrances and Portesham Unit building.

Jo Howarth, Director of Nursing at Dorset County Hospital, said: “We are very pleased to have received funding from NHS England to install a Changing Places facility at Dorset County Hospital. We want to make our site more accessible and inclusive and hope the addition of a Changing Places toilet will make a difference to our disabled patients, visitors and their carers when they come to the hospital.”

The Changing Places facility will be installed on 23 April 2025. The pick-up/drop-off bay areas outside North Wing Entrance 2 and the Portesham Unit will be closed off until around 2pm. Visitors will be directed to alternative parking spaces.

The new facility will open in May 2025.