Middlesbrough station toilet upgraded to be stoma-friendly
Facilities to help people with stomas have been introduced at a toilet at one of TransPennine Express’ (TPE’s) busiest stations.
A shelf, hooks to hang belongings on, and a back rest have been added to Middlesbrough station’s accessible toilet to meet Colostomy UK requirements to be stoma-friendly.
Stomas are an opening in a person's abdomen to help divert one end of the colon, with a pouch placed over it to collect faeces - a stoma bag - after they have a colostomy operation. Over 200,000 people in the UK have a stoma*.
People can end up with a stoma as part of treatment for conditions including bowel cancer, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis and bowel incontinence.
Chris Jeffery, Accessibility & Transport Integration Manager at TPE, said: “We hope the improvements to the accessible toilet at Middlesbrough station will make travelling with TPE easier for customers with a stoma.
“We are working hard to ensure that our services, stations are accessible and inclusive for everyone.”
The upgrade is part of a move to provide better toilet facilities for customers.
Work recently started at Hull Paragon station to transform the toilets and add more cubicles for passengers to use.
The £500,000 revamp will add two extra cubicles to the women's toilets and one to the men’s.
The toilets will also be fitted with improved toilets, sinks, new hand dryers and flooring. The accessible toilet will also be given a makeover.
While work is taking place, temporary toilets will be just outside the station building next to the Royal Hotel. An accessible toilet will be available for use next to Costa Coffee inside the station. The waiting area will temporarily be relocated to the ticket hall.