Anger as cash-strapped NHS trust splashes out on more than 100 trendy ‘gender neutral’ toilets in UK first
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust spent £1,265 to change signs which now show symbols for men, women, disabled people and the gender neutral
HOSPITAL bosses sparked fury after becoming the first in the country to provide “gender neutral” loos.
They splashed out before Christmas on a makeover at more than 100 toilets.
But opponents say it flies in the face of Government promises to phase out mixed-sex wards.
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust spent £1,265 to change signs which now show symbols for men, women, disabled people and the gender neutral.
They feature grab bars for disabled users, a toilet, sanitary bin and sink, but no urinal.
At Birmingham City Hospital 77 toilets have been converted. Thirty-one were changed at Sandwell Hospital and six at Rowley Regis in the West Midlands.
There are other toilets accessible for both women and men throughout the hospitals.
Sun Doctor Carol Cooper said: “This move flies in the face of logic. Why even think of gender-neutral loos when mixed-sex wards have already been branded a bad idea? Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, said: “This seem like it will create more problems than it will solve.”
Birmingham patient Helen Cox, 69, said: “It would be better to be kept separate.” But trust chief executive Toby Lewis said: “They have been well received.”