To ask the Minister of Health to detail any action he is taking to ensure that fully compliant Changing Places facilities are available within each hospital site.

Since June 2022 amendments to building regulations requires that all new build hospitals and primary care building and those whole hospital or primary care buildings formed by a material change of use of existing facilities should provide at least one Changing Places facility.

In light of the severe financial challenges facing the Northern Ireland Health & Social Care (HSC) sector, as well as the competing demands on the capital budget, my Department has no plans to centrally fund the provision of Changing Places facilities in any existing hospitals or health centres where currently not provided.

HSC Trusts are however provided with general capital funding monies and may consider the provision of these facilities from this allocation based on their own assessment of need and options available.

Hospitals within Northern Ireland currently provide public ambulant toilets and wheelchair accessible toilets, which allow a wheelchair user to use the facilities independently. In acute and community hospitals there will be comprehensive provision of hoisting and toileting facilities available to provide for their inpatient needs. In the case where a Changing Places facility is not available for an attending outpatient member of the public, the Trust may be able to make available a suitable alternative arrangement for an individual if required.