"Accessible Bathroom"

I am a power wheelchair user with a severe physical disability and a patient at the Albany Health Campus.

I am unable to use an ordinary, minimum standard accessible bathroom. I require a plinth, preferably height adjustable so my support worker doesn't have to risk hurting themselves. A high toilet and a commode to go over the top. Preferable would be a ceiling track hoist so I don't require manual handling. And it needs to be very large so I do not have to park my wheelchair outside and be carried to it and from it.

The outpatient toilets at the Albany Health campus only suit the needs of manual wheelchair uses with the use of their own arms. In my opinion, this dismisses the needs of patients with complex disabilities, large mobility aids, and support people who need to assist them.

I have previously raised this concern with the WACHS disability access committee and my feedback was favourably received. However, I understand that despite the review of the outpatient bathrooms, no changes have been made to make them usable as of yet by power wheelchair users, like myself. I am very pleased that the issue is being reviewed, but until action is taken neither I, nor any other power chair user can use the facilities at the Albany Health Campus.