One of the toilets at London Paddington station has been totally transformed to provide stoma friendly’ toilet facilities and has become the first Network Rail station managed by Network Rail to offer such facilities

The refurbished toilet is located on Paddington station’s platform 12, and was opened in time for Stoma Aware Day, which took place last Saturday, 7 October.

Additional features have been provided for those who have had stoma surgery to treat a range of medical conditions, including cancer, Crohn’s and endometriosis, and involves diverting the bladder or bowel through the abdomen so that bodily waste can be collected in a bag.

Over 200,000 people in the UK have a stoma, but accessible toilets are either often unsuitable for people to change their stoma bag in a safe and clean environment, or difficult to do so. The new ‘stoma friendly’ at Paddington include:

• Hooks for hanging personal belongings;
• Shelves that provide a clean surface for laying out medical supplies;
• A bin inside the cubicle where used stoma bags can be disposed of discreetly;
• A full-length mirror so that people can view their stoma while changing their bag.

Signage on the door reminds people that not all disabilities are visible. Such signs have been shown to reduce any hostility towards those who are using accessible facilities but have a hidden disability.

The theme chosen for this year’s Stoma Aware Day is ‘smash social exclusion’, and further information about the condition and the day can be found here.

Although this is the first Network Rail-managed station to have stoma-friendly facilities, toilets at some Southeastern stations were updated earlier this year.

Natalia Basarab, Network Rail’s stations health, safety and environment adviser for Western route, said: “We’re pleased to be able to provide a stoma-friendly toilet for our passengers at Paddington station.

“We want the railway to be welcoming for everyone. Stoma-friendly toilets are more inclusive and will enable people to change their bags in a clean and safe environment.

“I’d like to thank Colostomy UK for their guidance and hope that those visiting the station with a stoma will be able to travel with confidence, knowing that these facilities are available to them.”

Giovanni Cinque from Colostomy UK said: “We’re delighted that in the lead up to our ‘smash social exclusion’ Stoma Aware Day, Paddington has become the first Network Rail managed station to offer stoma-friendly toilets.

“We’re sure this will encourage people living with a stoma to travel via Paddington, safe in the knowledge that if they need to use an accessible toilet there is one that will meet their needs. We look forward to working with Network Rail to increase the number of stations that include the same facilities.”