19/12/2019
The Western Trust has officially opened a new ‘Changing Places’ facility, which provides a fully accessible toilet and changing facilities for people with disabilities at the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen.
Speaking at the official opening Anita McConnell, Contracts Lead at the South West Acute Hospital said: “I am delighted to welcome you all here today to officially open this new ‘Changing Places’ facility. As part of the Trust’s commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI) we have listened to our Service Users and their Carers who attend the hospital on a regular basis who have advised on the need for this facility in the hospital. This facility is situated in a convenient location at the main hospital entrance so it is easy to access by both our service users and the general public.”
Anita added: “We are very grateful for the support from the Department of Health. The design of the ‘Changing Places’ facility was led by CPD Health Projects (DFP) who worked with our PFI 
Service Provider Interserve FM to finalise and implement. I would particularly wish to thank Mrs Jayne Hughes and Gerry Maguire from our Service User group who have continuously lobbied for the installation of this facility along with Mencap and Disability Action who assisted in supporting the development of this new facility. As a healthcare provider, the Western Trust is fully committed to inclusion and diversity and this is an excellent example of how by engaging with our Service Users we can improve the lives of people in our local community.”
Mrs Hughes, Service User and member of the ‘Changing Places’ User Group said: “On behalf of the user group I would wish to thank everyone involved in seeing this development to fruition. This is a wonderful achievement not only for me but also for other Service Users who will benefit greatly from this wonderful changing facility. It is very important as a Service User that we are given a voice and that all health care professionals who we come in contact with strive to promote independence and enhance the quality of care for everyone.”
For details on the new facility, please go to www.changingplaces.org