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Stoma Appliances: Public Lavatories

Asked by Vikki SladeLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 16 July 2026UIN 17619

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will establish provisions for people with stomas in public toilets within NHS establishments.

Answered by Karin Smyth

National Health Service organisations make decisions locally on the provision of toilets within their facilities, including provisions in toilets for people with stomas.

National guidance is provided to the NHS on designing sanitary spaces in healthcare settings, including toilets for patients, visitors, and staff. Health Building Note (HBN) 00-02: Sanitary Spaces details layouts for independent wheelchair/semi ambulant toilets which incorporate a shelf adjacent to the toilet for the emptying of urine bottles/colostomy bags.

Over this Spending Review period, we are backing local NHS organisations with £21 billion in operation capital funding, which they can allocate to their priorities, such as ensuring the provision of appropriate public toilets.

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