Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS calls for protection for public toilets

Watch Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS calls for protection for public toilets - Tindle News on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:00The lack of public toilets has significant implications for people's health, and therefore for the NHS.

00:06In the absence of public toilets, people are having to delay or hold in urine for longer than is good for them.

00:13This is especially dangerous for older people, people with disabilities, women, carers, and those with certain medical conditions.

00:21With increased risk of urinary tract infections, pelvic floor dysfunction, and in severe or chronic cases,

00:27back pressure effects on kidneys, and there is an equality implication, as women are more likely to suffer than men.

00:35In Febron, the community run Febron Immunities Trust have ensured that the public toilets there can remain open.

00:42The Llyndrillo community has done the same, as well as the aforementioned Corwen Town Council project.

00:48Will the Cabinet Secretary look at these examples of best practice in order to allow other communities to receive the necessary support

00:56to take over and run public toilets as community enterprises, and should she wish, there's an invitation for her to join me

01:02to see the Febron Immunities Trust as well.

01:07Do you know what I would very much like to join you on a visit to see to the Trust.

01:15I mean, clearly, local authorities are taking the initiative.

01:18I've already given some examples from Denbyshire Council and Flintshire as well.

01:26And just to say, finally, of course, there's other sources of funding.

01:30The Transforming Towns Regeneration Programme Toilet Provision is a dedicated support for town centres,

01:37and very much identified within placemaking plans.

01:40And thank you for focusing on the equalities issue, because this also draws attention to the changing places for disabled people.

01:50And the Public Health Wales Act 2017 includes changing places within the definition of toilet in relation to local toilet strategies.

01:58And that's something where local authorities have got to make that adaptation, particularly to support disabled people.