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Lack of disabled toilets

Posted By pegasusrt69

"Lack of disabled toilets"

About: PathWest Joondalup Collection Centre

(as a relative),

I brought my parent (who is in a wheelchair) to have their bloods taken and they also required a urine sample. There were no disabled toilets and it was extremely difficult trying to manoeuvre a wheelchair through the doors into the toilet area.

Furthermore, trying to get my parent's wheelchair into the toilet was extremely awkward and we even got stuck. Trying to help them onto the toilet where there were no toilet rails was difficult and dangerous. Because there was no urine catcher for the toilet it was impossible to collect urine.

So not only are the facilities not disabled-friendly they do not supply equipment to allow samples to be collected from people who have reduced mobility. The staff were lovely and I will not complain about them but the company needs to offer facilities for all members of society.  

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Responses

Response from Tracy Dixon, A/General Manager, QEII Network, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA 4 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Tracy Dixon
A/General Manager, QEII Network,
PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA

Responsible for oversight of laboratories at QEII, KEMH and PCH as well as the collection centres, transport and processing of pathology samples

Submitted on 9/09/2019 at 6:43 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 10/09/2019 at 8:53 AM

picture of Tracy Dixon

Dear Pegasusrt69,

Thank you for your feedback pertaining to our rooms at Joondalup. I am sorry to hear of the difficulties you and your parent experience as a result of our facilities. We are currently in the process of auditing our existing facilities, to ensure compliance with Australian Standards for Pathology Services and disability access. This centre has certainly been highlighted as requiring refurbishment, including the upgrade of toilet facilities.

We will be submitting a business case for these building works to occur as soon as practicable.

Meanwhile we are exploring new premises, which will meet all of the requirements for disabled access. Some of our centres that currently have disability access are our Midland, King Edward road Osborne Park, Jandakot, Belmont, Mt Lawley and Kelmscott rooms. Our tertiary sites at QEII Medical Centre and Fiona Stanley Hospital are also equipped with these facilities.

Should you wish to discuss further please feel free to contact our Manager of Specimen Collection Services, Mrs Elaine Toogood on 0413 611 192

Kind regards,

Tracy Dixon

General Manager

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by pegasusrt69 (a relative)

Thank you for the response. I have to admit I was rather shocked, and as I mentioned it was a harrowing experience for my parent. I believed that all buildings had to have disabled access especially medical facilities facilities such as yours. If I had known they did not I would have went to another company.

I should have checked first before entering and of course I didn’t have to attempt getting my mum into the toilet but the sample was required to complete the form. I understand you have disabled toilets in some areas but they are rather far from Joondalup. However, I am pleased to hear that you are going to make some changes.

Thanks again.

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