Changing Places Equipment Guide

Ceiling Hoists are used in Changing Places rooms to transfer the user from a wheelchair onto the changing table or WC. They save time, provide dignity, reduce risk of injury, provide improved positioning, free up space and reduce the number of transfers needed.

To find out about the OT200 Ceiling Hoist ideal for Changing Places, please click here. 

A height adjustable Changing Table is required because a variety of clients with a wide range of needs, some complex, will be using the Changing Places facility.

Without a Changing Table in place the only space available for dressing and changing would be the floor of the toilet or bathroom and, depending on the size of the changing places facility (minimum size required 3m x 4m), either a height adjustable wall mounted or mobile changing table will be required.

To see our range of wall mounted and free standing Changing Tables, please click here.

A height adjustable washbasin is recommended in a Changing Places toilet. Allowing people to use it from a seated or standing position, the basin should be positioned at a height at which a wheelchair user can easily reach helping to make it easy to access.

Please note: Whilst a height adjustable washbasin is recommended it is not required to pass the standard.

OpeMed offer a range of height adjustable washbasins, please click here to find out more.

In a Changing Places the toilet should be centrally placed with space either side for the carers. We offer an alternative to the standard WC to give users increased independence with both wash and dry cleaning features.

Find out more about our range of Assisted Toilets here.

OpeMed offer a range of  Privacy Screens that are mobile, fixed or curtain to suite the Changing Places Toilet in question. The WC should not be visible from the door opening, and indeed a Privacy Screen is used so that user and carer can be safely separated to improve dignity and privacy within the room.

To see our range of screens please click here to find out more.

Offering a range of support arms, from fixed height, height adjustable and horizontally adjustable available in a choice of 9 colours in order to comply with the Doc M pack and offer a personal touch to a Changing Places room.

To learn more about our Support Arms please click here.

A Changing Places toilet is designed to be fully accessible to all, as such a Stoma bag shelf should be fitted to allow for adequate changing facilities for users. These shelves should be positioned near to the toilet for easy access when needed.

To find out more about our Stoma Bag Shelf, please click here.

OpeMed offer a wide range of Grab Rails configurations. Our grab rails come in a choice of 9 colours in order to comply with the Doc M pack and offer a personal touch to a Changing Places room.

If you would like to find out more about our different Grail Rail options, please click here.

Sufficient coat hooks should be provided to enable a CP user and two assistants to hang their coats and bags. Coat hooks should be positioned at two different heights – 1050mm and 1400mm above floor level, to ensure they meet the needs of people of differing heights and with differing reaches.

Our coat hooks are easy to install and aesthetically pleasing. Click here to see our range of Accessories.

A full length mirror with unobstructed access should be provided within a Changing Places toilet to enable people to view themselves and to adjust their clothing. Ensuring the mirror does not meet the floor (as can create a false impression of being a door or wall opening) the mirror should be wall mounted and at least 600mm by 1000mm and no higher than 600mm from the floor.

Our mirror is ideal for changing places and can be easily installed. Click here to find out more.

A means of drying hands should be provided in a Changing Places toilet close to the washbasin with controls that contrast clearly and avoiding polished metals or reflective surfaces.

A means of drying hands should be provided close to the washbasin. Wherever possible, paper towels should be provided in addition to a hot-air hand-dryer. Some ‘ultrarapid’ hand dryers can be too loud, causing discomfort for some users, including people with sensory impairments and people with dementia.

A disposal bin for general waste should be positioned where it can be reached easily from the clear manoeuvring space. In facilities that provide paper towels, the bin should not be far from the paper towel dispenser.

The sanitary disposal bin should be large enough to accommodate adult sized incontinence pads. It should be positioned within easy reach of the WC, but not where it will obstruct access.

The alarm system should comprise two alarm pull cords and a reset button within the room. The system should incorporate an indication that the alarm has been raised as this will reassure users that assistance is underway. Above the door on the outside of the room, an alarm indicator should be provided, incorporating both a light and sounder.

An assistance alarm should be provided to enable a disabled person or their assistant to summon assistance. One alarm pull cord should be positioned adjacent to the toilet whilst another should be positioned near to the door.

Showers enable people to wash after using the WC or while being changed. A shower should be included in the design of a Changing Places toilet in relevant types of managed buildings such as leisure centres, travel hubs or specific projects. A shower is recommended but not required.

A dispenser with a wide paper roll (sometimes referred to as a couch roll) should be provided adjacent to the changing over the changing bench surface to promote good hygiene and to aid the changing and cleansing process.

The British Standard (BS:8300 2009) specify’s 12m² as the ideal room size as this will cater to all potential users and allow for the required turning space and carer space. However, Changing Places accept in some conditions room sizes from 7m² in existing buildings where spaces are unable to be extended.