Works for what will be Galway’s first Changing Places facility began this week at the green area near Ladies Beach in Salthill.
A changing places facility is designed to enhance safety, dignity, and comfort to people who may need extra support and additional equipment during personal care tasks. It is a bathroom for people with complex needs and differs from regular accessible toilets in that it provides 12sq metres of floor space, a full coverage ceiling tract hoist, and a height adjustable adult size changing bench.
Works are expected to be completed on the facility by the end of March. Currently there are 18 Changing Places facilities in Ireland, with 11 of these located in Dublin.
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Fine Gael Galway City West councillor, Clodagh Higgins, who has campaigned for such a facility, has welcomed the start of the works. She first proposed the introduction of a Changing Places facility in October 2019 and subsequently brought a motion before the Council in December 2019.
“This will have such a positive impact on the quality of life for so many,” she said, “and I remain committed to ensuring many more Changing Places facilities are delivered throughout the city.”
