a continuing saga of inadequacy

Read article : a continuing saga of inadequacy

J R Soc Med. 2004 May; 97(5): 235–237.

PMCID:PMC1079464

This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.

Abstract

Previous surveys of UK hospitals have highlighted many deficiencies in the standards of hospital inpatient washing and bathing facilities—especially inadequate access for wheelchair users, insufficient bathing equipment, and unsatisfactory cleanliness and privacy. We conducted a qualitative survey in three hospitals in the North of England to see whether these facilities have improved.

There have been some improvements, particularly in the provision of bath hoists, adapted taps, alarm call systems, shower seats and wheelchair access to bathrooms. But many basic problems remain—absent locks and signs, inadequate heating, poor standards of privacy, insufficient bath aids, wet floors, and the inappropriate use of bathrooms as store rooms.

The overall condition of hospital bathrooms and showers remains unsatisfactory. Too many hospital bathrooms are austere, cold, smelly and poorly maintained.

INTRODUCTION

Bathing is an important activity of daily living and should be a pleasurable experience. Helping a patient to maintain personal hygiene is a fundamental aspect of nursing care but bathing of disabled and elderly people can be difficult and time consuming.^1-3 If inadequate aids, equipment and facilities compound the difficulty, the process can become arduous for busy ward staff. Adequate and suitable washing and bathing facilities can help to ensure that patients are bathed in private and with dignity.

The last detailed survey of bathing facilities in a UK hospital was over 20 years ago.⁴ Conducted in the same region as the present study but at a different hospital, it revealed a generally poor standard of inpatient washing, bathing and toilet facilities, with insufficient equipment, especially bathing aids. It also highlighted poor access and inadequate adaptations for wheelchair users. The authors made recommendations for improvements.

Two large UK multicentre hospital surveys^5,6 yielded comparable findings. The King's Fund questionnaire of patients in ten hospitals indicated that no patient was happy with the number of bathrooms or washbasins and that most were critical of standards of cleanliness. The Health Advisory Service survey of eight English hospitals commented on the poverty of the physical environment and shortcomings in bathroom cleanliness, access, equipment, upkeep, comfort, and privacy. We have looked at hospital bathing, washing and showering facilities to see if matters have improved.

METHOD

Two of us (AM and ST [see acknowledgment]) visited 46 hospital wards in three different hospitals in the North of England—a large teaching hospital, a smaller satellite hospital attached to the teaching hospital (mainly comprising specialist elderly rehabilitation wards), and a small district general hospital in a neighbouring city. All adult medical, surgical, and orthopaedic wards were assessed. Intensive care units, high dependency units, and psychiatric, and paediatric wards were not. We inspected all bathrooms and showers and recorded their physical characteristics on a checklist. We documented and compared details of door widths, height of light switches, accessibility for wheelchair occupants, alarm call systems, bathtub characteristics, bath aids, heating, floor surfaces, mirror height, sink accessibility, easy use of taps, privacy, and cleanliness.

RESULTS

The number of patients on each ward varied from 10 to 32, average 25. The total number of patients on all 46 wards was 1167. The proportion of physically disabled patients on wards varied from 12% to 100%, average 72%. For the purposes of this study, we defined physically disabled patients as those who needed any degree of assistance with washing or bathing while in hospital (this was determined by the ward nursing staff).

General features

All bathrooms and showers had a functioning alarm call system.

On 9 of the wards, there was no sign on the bathroom or shower door indicating the room's use. On 5 wards there was no lock on the bathroom or shower door. On 9 wards, the bathroom or shower room lacked privacy: for example, having only a small curtain or ‘concertina’ door separating the shower from the open ward; bathroom doors with large ‘peep holes’ or with large ‘see-through’ glass panels covered only by a small curtain. In one case, a paper towel was taped across the glass panel in place of a curtain. In another ward the bathroom was being used simultaneously as a toilet, with two patients using the room at one time (one in the bath, one on the toilet), separated only by a curtain.

The width of all bathroom doorways was above the minimum recommended (80 cm) to allow access for a wheelchair. However, on 13 (28%) wards, doorway width was less than 93 cm, the preferred width for wheelchair access. 8 wards had no heating in the bathroom. On 3 wards the light switch was too high to be accessible for someone seated or in a wheelchair.

In most bathrooms and shower rooms the decor was plain, uninspiring blue or green gloss paint (‘like a bad campsite washroom’ was one nurse's comment). At the time of inspection, bathrooms or shower rooms on 12 wards were considered unclean on subjective inspection. A recurrent finding was that the room smelled of urine. In some, the floor was wet and potentially hazardous. The standard arrangement was for one of the domestic staff to clean the bathroom and shower once daily. At all other times—and between baths and showers—this responsibility fell to the ward nurses.

Bathtubs and bath aids

The number of bathtubs per patient varied from 1 in 6 to 1 in 28. All wards had at least one bath, most had two. 12 wards had baths that were not free-standing, so carers were unable to get around both sides (though most of these wards also had another bath which was free-standing). Two free-standing baths had a shower obscuring one side, which blocked access for carers.

45 of 46 wards had a bath hoist (ambulift), 19 (41%) had bath rails, 10 (22%) had a bath seat, 20 (4%) had non-slip mats (now less favoured because of the theoretical risk of infection spread), 2 (4%) had a bath board. 19 (41%) had ‘easy to use’ or adapted taps (i.e. easier to turn on and off for patients with dexterity problems). 6 bathrooms also contained a bidet; few of these worked and all were unused. Most bathrooms were cluttered—sometimes almost full—with non-bathroom-essential ward objects such as mattresses, commodes, and weighing machines. In some cases, these impeded access to the bath.

Showers

Most wards had two separate showers, 16 had only one. 10% (7/73) of showers were either broken or not working. A recurring problem was water seeping under the door into the main ward, in one case dripping down through the ceiling to the floor below. Some of these had been awaiting repair for several months with no obvious indication that this would occur in the near future. This was a source of frustration to the nursing staff.

Only 33 (72%) wards had showers that were accessible to wheelchair users. Some had a large step up to the shower, others were too cramped, making manoeuvrability impossible. 82% (60/73) of showers had a shower seat, generally a simple plastic chair borrowed from the main ward.

Washbasins

Most washbasins were of a suitable height for those needing to sit and wash, and legroom was adequate. Taps were adapted or easy to use on 34 (72%) wards. 11% (10/90) of bathrooms had no mirror and 39% (31/80) of mirrors were > 130 cm off the ground (not easily accessible for someone seated or in a wheelchair).

DISCUSSION

72% of hospital inpatients in this study needed some assistance with washing and bathing. Since the previous study in 1982,⁴ improvement has occurred in wheelchair accessibility to bathrooms but not showers, and in access to washbasins (direct comparison is not possible, since the studies were done in different hospitals). The provision of alarms is now standard, and the use of bath hoists and showers is almost universal. Many taps are now easy to use. But little else has changed. We found identical themes to the previous surveys.^5,6 The main deficiencies, as before, are limited accessibility of showers for wheelchair users, a paucity of bath aids and adaptations, concerns about cleanliness and lack of privacy. Other inadequacies include: poor signage, missing locks, lack of heating, unimaginative decor, unpleasant smells, wet floors, obstructive clutter, raised shower thresholds, mirrors and switches that are too high, and delayed repairs. This study was of 46 wards in three hospitals in one English region. Surveys of hospitals elsewhere are needed to show whether our findings are generalizeable: we suspect that the inadequate state of hospital bathing facilities is a widespread phenomenon.

It is of concern that many of our findings are similar to those of the King's Fund patient survey performed in 1966.⁵ The Department of Health survey in 1998⁶ raised similar criticisms, and made many recommendations for action to be taken. However, in the hospitals that we studied we found little evidence of improvement. Overall, there were few changes from the situation encountered more than 35 years ago.

These findings should be placed in context. On most wards, facilities for washing and bathing were adequate and there were several other positive findings. For example, all rooms had functioning alarm call systems and light switches that worked. With one exception, all wards had a bath hoist, the most important bathroom aid for disabled patients. But many shortcomings persist. Few wards had a full set of simple bath aids. Mirrors should be lowered or enlarged to make washing, shaving and grooming easier for those who need to sit for this activity. All taps should be adapted for easier use. Wheelchair access to showers should be improved. Repairs to broken bath and showering equipment could be done much more quickly. More consideration might also be given to improving the decor, privacy, cleanliness, and general environment of these rooms, helping to make washing and bathing a more dignified, pleasurable and relaxing experience for all involved.

There is limited space on hospital wards, and bathrooms are commonly used inappropriately as store rooms. There should be alternative areas to store ward equipment, freeing the bathrooms for their proper use. Having to share the same bathroom with another person (fortunately, only one instance seen) is particularly unsatisfactory.

The recommended standards for disabled people using hospital say little about bathrooms and showers.⁷ Measures to improve overall quality of care, privacy, and facilities in hospital are in the National Service Framework for Older People⁸ but at present there are no comprehensive guidelines or national standards. Most of the improvements required would be inexpensive. Hospital managers, doctors, and modern matrons should focus on these important deficiencies in the bathing facilities of most hospital wards. Perhaps a designated member of staff (such as an occupational therapist) could ensure that washing and bathing facilities are adequate and act as patient advocate. It might be a good idea to make bathroom standards a key factor in government star ratings of hospitals. The aim should be to provide bathing facilities that we would be happy to use ourselves.

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr Sarah Twigg, Senior House Officer in Elderly Medicine, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, for her help with the data collection.

References

1. Whiting LS. Maintaining patients' personal hygiene. Prof Nurse 1999;14: 338-40 [PubMed]

2. Berwick L, Nisan C, Higgins M. Care of the body: maintaining dignity and respect. Perspectives 2002;26: 10-14 [PubMed]

3. Sloane PD, Rader J, Barrick AL, et al. Bathing persons with dementia. Gerontologist 1995;35: 672-8 [PubMed]

5. King Edward's Hospital Fund for London. Patients and their Hospitals. Maidstone: Alabaster, Passmore, 1969

6. Health Advisory Service. Not Because they are Old: an Independent Inquiry into the Care of Older People on Acute Wards in General Hospitals. London: HAS, 1998

7. Royal College of Physicians and Prince of Wales' Advisory Group on Disability. Charter for Disabled People Using Hospital. London: Royal College of Physicians, 1992 [PubMed]

8. Department of Health. National Service Framework for Older People. Standard 4: General Hospital Care. London: Department of Health, 2001

Articles from Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine are provided here courtesy of Royal Society of Medicine Press

Santa Rosa could add portable bathrooms, showers for homeless

Read article : Santa Rosa could add portable bathrooms, showers for homeless

Santa Rosa is considering providing portable bathrooms and showers for homeless people as part of a broader effort to reach out to people in need of housing and social services.

Options to be explored by the City Council Tuesday include extending the hours of public bathrooms, renting portable toilets and handwashing stations, or renting a combination shower/restroom trailer.

Details of each option — including where the services would be located — won’t be worked out until after the council weighs in. But city staff and service providers feel that a mobile shower/restroom unit may represent the most effective option.

“Bathrooms and showers are one of the most requested things by people who are experiencing homelessness,” said Jennielynn Holmes-Davis, director of shelter and housing at Catholic Charities.

Such a trailer, which would cost about $74,000 per year to rent, would not only provide needed facilities for people living outdoors, but would best help providers build trust with people who need housing the most, Holmes-Davis said.

She envisions the trailer being used by the county’s new homeless outreach team, the group of social workers and mental health specialists who team up with law enforcement officers to encourage people to seek shelter. Santa Rosa is spending $415,000 to fund an expansion of the county program in the city to include rehousing vouchers, the cleanup of encampments and a homeless hotline.

The Homeless Outreach Service Team, known as HOST, could use the promise of a bathroom and shower to not only initially connect with homeless people, but also as a way to follow-up with them later, Holmes-Davis said.

The trailer could be taken to places where homeless people congregate and would be monitored by HOST staff at all times, she said. Outreach staff at the site could assess what homeless people’s other needs may be and steer them toward appropriate services, she said.

A less-expensive option would involve renting about 10 portable toilets and handwashing stations and putting them in locations where they are most needed. That would cost about $22,000 per year, including the cost of cleaning, according to city staff.

Unlike the trailers, which would be moved to new locations daily, the portable toilets would be accessible 24/7. Either move would reduce the amount of waste in local waterway, officials said.

Both the portable toilets and the trailer raise a host of questions, however. Would they be located on public or private property? For how long? How would the equipment be transported to and from remote locations? How much say would neighbors have in the locations selected? Would the toilets and showers merely reduce or encourage sleeping outdoors?

Such issues will have to be worked out if the council opts to move forward.

A third option is expanding the hours that public bathrooms in parks or other public areas like City Hall are open to the public. Park bathrooms are generally open from dawn to dusk.

Keeping them open later or all night long might seem less expensive than renting portable toilets, but the costs could be higher, said Dave Gouin, the city’s director of economic development and housing.

That’s because the bathrooms would need to be cleaned more often and monitored by security, he said.

“What we’re being told by the service providers is that they need to be supervised restrooms,” Gouin said.

Wheelchair users forced to abandon UK summer holiday plans, says Muscular Dystrophy UK

Read article : Wheelchair users forced to abandon UK summer holiday plans, says Muscular Dystrophy UK

These are the shocking findings of a new investigation by Trailblazers, a network of young disabled people and their supporters which is part of Muscular Dystrophy UK and which surveyed over 100 people between 17 July and 14 August 2017.

The main findings of the survey found that:

• 8 in 10 (almost 80%) of young disabled people have been unable to go on holiday in the past five years because of the lack of hoist facilities in hotels.
• Over 35% of those surveyed show that young disabled people don’t go anywhere overnight because of the lack of hoists.
• There are only 18 known hotels in the UK with ceiling hoists available for use free of charge according to one trusted website used by many disabled people.

The investigation found that many disabled users were forced to abandon their summer holiday plans and stay at home. It found that access to hoists in hotels which are a basic requirement for wheelchair users, either ceiling hoists or hoists for hire, is at best scarce and in many cases not available.

Hoists are a basic requirement which allows disabled users to transfer out of their wheelchair into bed or the bathroom when they cannot independently transfer. The complications when organising a holiday to ensure accessibility to hoists means planning can be stressful and lead to anxiety and uncertainty. What should be a pleasant break turns into an insurmountable chore. It is also a big problem for disabled users when having to travel for work, whether that be overnight stays or just a few days.

Moreover this is bad for business for the hotel industry as the collective spending power of disabled people has been estimated at £249bn to the economy.

The Trailblazers investigation also included a mystery shopping exercise (on 9 August, 2017) which found that only one hotel out of 20 was able to offer a free hoist for those who needed it. Other problems included:

• Many hotel staff not knowing what a hoist was used for
• One hotel when asked if they had a hoist for transferring from wheelchair to bed was unsure if they did, but said they had a hoist for use at the swimming pool
• One major hotel chain recommending to wheelchair users to bring their own hoist but admitting their beds were unsuitable for use with a portable hoist

Lucy Watts is a member of Trailblazers from Essex and a wheelchair user since 2008. She has a muscle-wasting condition and can’t safely transfer so has to be hoisted. She said:

“I haven’t stayed away from home since losing the ability to transfer and I’ve been unable to stay overnight purely because of the hoist issue. Hotels having hoists would mean I’d be able to take trips away. I’d be able to attend more conferences – many of which require an overnight stay – which would open up more doors in terms of my voluntary work.

“Having faced multiple issues with hotels, I’ve been put off staying overnight – even if we rented a hoist, I haven’t had the confidence to take the risk of not knowing whether the place will be accessible. However, if I knew every hotel had a fully accessible room with available hoist, I would definitely have the courage to branch out and do overnight trips.

“Disabled people face enough barriers in life. We shouldn’t be prevented from enjoying trips away because hotels won’t always make the effort to be fully accessible and inclusive.”

Nic Bungay, Director of Campaigns, Care and Information at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said:

“These figures are truly disappointing as it means many disabled people are not able to visit some of our most popular destinations. Muscular Dystrophy UK believes there are some immediate steps the tourist industry and government could take to improve provision.

“The tourist industry should provide staff training with disabled people so that their staff know what a hoist is and are aware of their policy regarding helping disabled people get a hoist for their stay. Government could provide increased funding so businesses can access funds to install hoists in hotel rooms. And local authorities could provide financial and planning advice or permission to ensure that access is at the centre of all major renovations and new buildings.

“If these measures were implemented immediately it would greatly increase access to hotels for wheelchair uses wishing to travel.”

Notes to editors

Hoists in hotels – an investigation

Key findings

• 8 in 10 (almost 80%) of respondents have been unable to go on holiday because of the lack of hoist facilities in hotels in the past 5 years.

• Over 85% can use a mobile hoist if necessary.

• According to Ceiling Hoist Users Club[1] which is a well trusted website which many disabled people refer to when looking for somewhere accessible to stay, there are only 18 known hotels in the UK with ceiling hoists available for use free of charge.

Other key statistics

• Almost 15% cannot use a mobile hoist to transfer if a ceiling hoist is unavailable

• Over 35% of survey respondents don’t go anywhere overnight because of the lack of hoists.

• Over 25% of survey respondents only stay in accommodation that supplies hoists (either ceiling or portable).

• Over 35% of survey respondents are forced to take their own portable hoist on holiday with them.

• 9 out of 10 respondents said if a hotel had a complimentary mobile hoist it would incentivise them to stay there.

• Almost 30% of survey respondents would be willing to travel over 50 miles from their chosen destination if the hotel had a hoist.

Hotel Survey

The Trailblazers survey asked respondents to rate their experiences for 7 major hotels chains as well as independent hotels/B and B’s. Some 103 people responded to the survey conducted between 17 July and 14 August 2017

Mystery Shopper

We also conducted a mystery shopper (on 9 August 2017) of a selection of hotels. We asked them if they were able to offer a complementary mobile hoist free of charge to those who needed it. Some of the responses included:

Major UK Cities

We called two major chain hotels, each in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast. The only hotel who were able to offer help to hire a hoist was one of the major chains in Glasgow, but the cost of hiring the hoist would fall to the customer booking the holiday. One other hotel in Glasgow from another major chain had a hoist available free of charge to their customers who needed it. All of the other hotels we called in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast did not have any hoists, nor did they offer help to hire one.

We spoke to a customer service advisor at one of these chains, who was able to give full details of the accessibility of their rooms, including the type of flooring available. Unfortunately, none of their rooms had a level entry wet room and there was no complementary hoist free of charge. However, they were willing to take delivery of the hoist.

Other UK tourist destinations

We called a number of other hotels in various destinations across the UK. This included:

• Oxford

• York

• Brighton

• Newport

• Cardiff

The information we received varied across four different UK chains. None of the five above were able to offer a hoist free of charge, or offer assistance with hiring a hoist. One major chain recommended that we bring our own hoist, but said that their beds were not suitable for use with a portable hoist. Another hotel told us that they had a hoist in the swimming pool, and one member of staff we spoke to did not know what a hoist was.

Summary

From our mystery shopping there is only one hotel out of the 20 that we called able to offer a free hoist for those who need it at the hotel. None of the disabled people who have responded to our survey have said they’ve been given assistance to have a hoist hired at any hotel.

Policy Recommendations

Government

• Building regulations must be amended to reflect the changing needs of disabled people, including the provision of overhead hoists in accessible rooms and the inclusion of Changing Places toilets for functions.

• Independent businesses may not have adequate funding to make these choices. Government should create an ‘access renovation fund’ which independent businesses can access money to install hoists in hotel rooms, or other access requirements such as Changing Places toilets.

Local Authorities

• As the collective spending power of disabled people has been estimated at £249bn to the economy, local authorities must provide assistance, including financial and planning advice or permission to ensure that access is at the centre of all major renovations and new buildings.

Tourism Industry

• Hotels should purchase mobile hoists as an urgent measure, and provide these as a complimentary service to wheelchair users who need them. However, many require overhead hoists and we call on hotels to have their accessible rooms assessed to have these hoists fitted.

• We call on the tourism industry to provide staff training with disabled people so that their staff know what a hoist is, are aware of their policy regarding helping disabled people get a hoist for their stay, and to educate those in charge of hotel development of why having hoists available is so important.

Case Study

Carrie Aimes gave permission for this to be used as a case study.

“I am an infrequent traveller, not because I lack the desire but because it is so difficult to find appropriately adapted and affordable hotels. Even getting away for a single night is an almost impossible challenge, since hotel rooms are, disappointingly, not equipped with ceiling track hoists as standard.

Although some people get around this problem by hiring (at an extra cost) or taking with them a portable hoist, this is not practical for all. Portable hoists are cumbersome, difficult to store, transport and manoeuvre. Furthermore, many people simply don’t have access to a vehicle large enough to carry such large-scale equipment.

I have Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy and am completely non-ambulant. I can’t safely transfer and so I either have to be hoisted or manually lifted. Understandably most people, excluding family, are reluctant to do the latter. So, if I want or need to get away from home, my only current option is to ask family members if they are willing to lend their time and support (far from ideal).

With so few hotels in the UK equipped with ceiling track hoists, our options are severely limited. For those of us who need this facility, a premium cost is incurred, and then we are restricted to specific locations. Sadly we are not free as others are, to occupy any hotel room in a hotel of our choice, anywhere in the country.”

Now this is a grand design and it's in Burbage

Read article : Now this is a grand design and it's in Burbage

This beautifully-designed modern home in Burbage hits that perfect point where a striking design doesn’t appear too abrasive.

When the current owners built this contemporary home in Rugby Road two years ago, the main drive was sustainability and low maintenance.

Now this property is on the market courtesy of Fine and Country, for a cool £650,000.

Built to high industry standards, it has exceptional insulation values and is supported by another rarity - an A-grade EPC rating.

With the balance of the warranty still available, this is an extremely economical house, and energy bills can be kept even lower with electricity provided by solar panels on the back of the house.

Additional benefits include an 11 zone gas-fired under floor heating to both the ground and a solid first floor.

A heat recovery whole house ventilation system is in place providing temperature control free from stuffy or stale rooms throughout.

Further modernities include A-rated aluminum powder-coated windows and doors, an alarm system, and a commercial quality Sarnafil single ply roof.

The front of the home in Rugby Road. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby.

Quietly tucked away on the street it still manages a double garage and a south west-facing private landscaped rear garden with a fishpond.

For living space, the property offers three to four reception rooms, four, possibly five bedrooms and four bathrooms, of which three are en suites.

Double doors open to the spacious open-plan hallway which has Amtico flooring that flows through most of the ground floor.

From here, an internal hardwood door gives direct access to the garage and there are full height windows and double doors overlooking the private courtyard.

A little further on a central oak staircase rises to the first floor with two stainless steel handrails.

central oak staircase ascending from the hallway to the landing in this contemporary home. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby." src="src" />

The central oak staircase ascending from the hallway to the landing in this contemporary home. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby.

Heading first in to the smart open-plan kitchen one can see an extensive range of cream-fronted base units including twin-pan drawers and an integrated Smeg dishwasher.

Cooks can enjoy a Bosch electric fan-assisted double oven with a five-ring gas hob and a bespoke extractor above.

There is plumbing for an American-style fridge/freezer unit - just what is needed for those hot days - and three full-height spice racks and storage cupboards.

There are Quartz work surfaces with a built-in drainer and an inset Blanco sink unit and mixer tap.

Heading back out into the hall way, and to the right of the staircase, doors lead to the cloakroom which has a close-coupled toilet and a contemporary washstand.

The well-fitted study offers shelving, cupboards and a work station and is tucked away with a telephone point and two windows.

central oak staircase. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby." src="src" />

A view from the kitchen, past a dining area towards the central oak staircase. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby.

In here an open doorway and curtains lead into the versatile media room which has black cabinets and wired for a large screen and surround sound.

It could provide a second office or a small sitting room for children if preferred.

On the other side the stairs, another door gives access to the private ground floor guest bedroom which has double doors overlooking the courtyard.

There are fitted quality wardrobes and an en-suite shower room, with a Grohe shower unit, pedestal wash hand basin, low-level toilet, quality ceramics, fitted mirrors, and an opaque window.

But the real selling point is the stunning open plan combined living, dining and morning room.

sunny winter afternoons. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby." src="src" />

The stunning open-plan lounge is light and bright and is perfect to enjoy those cold but sunny winter afternoons. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby.

This bright area provides flexible living space.

The main lounge area is double height with bi-fold doors overlooking the back garden and glazed windows above make it a very well-lit and impressive area.

The dining area is ideal for regular entertaining while the morning room has a side window overlooking the terrace and double doors to the garden.

This light and versatile area is designed for modern living and makes the ground floor extremely versatile and the space flows freely into the attractive garden.

Upstairs, the first floor landing has a large picture window with an inset roof window making this a visually stunning and bright area.

With full-height windows there is a fine vista from the galleried landing over the living area and the rear garden.

The master bedroom has engineered wood flooring with smart reading lights with TV and telephone points and two discreet slit windows with shutters allowing views of the ground floor.

Bi-fold doors (and insulated shutters) give access to the balcony which has a stainless steel and glass balustrade.

Bi-folding doors open out from the master bedroom onto the balcony over-looking the back garden. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby.

The en-suite has a double-width shower enclosure with sliding doors and a Grohe shower unit along with quality ceramics, a washstand with an oval basin and a close-coupled toilet.

A door leads to a dressing room with wardrobes, cupboards and drawer sets.

Naturally, this could provide a child's bedroom or nursery if required. It has engineered wood flooring with a window to the courtyard.

The second bedroom has a triple wardrobe along with storage cupboards. There are two windows and downlighters. The spacious family bathroom can also provide an en-suite to this bedroom.

There is a double-width shower enclosure, again with a Grohe shower unit, a white oval bath with freestanding monoblock tap a white washstand, and another close-coupled WC with fitted alcoves and storage.

There are porcelain floor tiles, wall ceramics and two full height opaque side windows allowing light to flood in.

The third double bedroom has a double wardrobe with downlighters and two windows.

The en-suite bathroom of the master bedroom. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby.

The en-suite has a close coupled WC, contemporary washstand and a shower enclosure with shower unit, porcelain floor tiles, wall ceramics, downlighters.

The convenient first floor utility room has plumbing facilities and houses the heating controls.

Like the ground floor, the first floor has low-level concealed lighting, downlighters, smoke alarm and an alarm sensor.

This property is nicely tucked off the road via a private driveway.

The garage to the front is at the end of a block-paved driveway providing ample parking for two large vehicles while the garage has an automatic up and over insulated sectional panel door.

There is light and power connected with a rear personnel door and a work bench.

To the side of the house is a well-stocked border with grasses, lavender and some colourful annuals.

There is a lockable side gate to the left of the garage leading to a deep storage shed for garden machinery.

On the far side of the house there is a private courtyard area with stone chippings and multi coloured paving slabs.

A wide gravel pathway leads round to the main garden.

The side garden and courtyard. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby.

The rear garden has been thoughtfully-landscaped and is a very low maintenance.

Facing south west it offers a good degree of privacy.

There is a sunny private terrace directly behind the house and a pathway leads to a seating area which offers the best view of the rear elevation.

The substantial fishpond was a feat of engineering with a raised viewing area, pump and filtration system.

It is raised above the garden and retained by a well-stocked rockery and some large pieces of local stone.

To the right of the path is high-quality astroturf with Welsh slate borders and two ornamental trees. There is a further slate border with a raised rockery planted with a colourful selection of grasses, heathers and specimen trees.

A view of the back garden looking back towards the house. Property for sale in Burbage with Fine and Country of Rugby.

The garden is enclosed on all three sides by wooden close boarded fencing, a neighboring garage wall, established conifer trees and a buddleia.

The elevated balcony is ideal to catch the last western rays of sunshine after a typical busy day.

Homes of this quality are rarely available so an early viewing is advised.

As the current owner, Gabriella said: “My husband and I had always wanted to build our own home, and when the opportunity arose in 2013 we jumped at the chance and we are absolutely thrilled with the result.”

For more details, and to make a viewing contact Fine and Country Rugby on 01788 820062.

SELLING POINTS

Number of bedrooms: 4 to 5;

Reception rooms: 4 to 5;

Bathrooms: 4;

Garden: Small, but beautiful;

USP: Amazing, unique contemporary home

Price: £650,000

Read More

AquaLusso Portland 1350 Steam Shower and Whirlpool Bath

Read article : AquaLusso Portland 1350 Steam Shower and Whirlpool Bath

AquaLusso Portland 1350 Steam Shower and Whirlpool Bath - Storm

A popular model for the family bathroom, where a corner fitting cabin can be accomodated. The whirlpool consists of 5 large whirlpool jets and 2 smaller back jets all driven by a powerful pump. The Portland also has overhead monsoon rain shower, body jets and hand shower, so every member of the family will be sure to find a bathing option they like the best.

Storm is signified by the dark, blue/grey coloured glass at the rear of the shower.

Features

5 year WarrantyDimensions

1350mm x 1350mm x 2240mm

Special Notes:

Large steam rooms allow the occupant to sit or stand at a comfortable distance from the steam outlet whilst enjoying the steam facilities. In order to offer the same steam facilities but within a smaller shower cabin footprint the location of the steam outlet pod may be close to the occupant. Care must be taken when using the steam function to avoid scalding. Children should NOT use the steam within the product unless under strict adult supervision.

Installation Notes:

Electrical: This steam shower cabin requires 2 x 13amp electrical supply. It comes with a plug and RCD fitted, however we recommend you remove the plug and have the cabin installed to a fused spur. If you have an RCD fitted within your mains board you may also remove the RCD fitted to the shower flex.

Water: The cabin requires 1 x hot and 1 x cold water supply. The household water pipes should be fed to a point approximately 1 metre off the floor in the corner where the cabin is to be fitted. Balanced water pressure is required, between 1-3 bar. If using a gravity fed system we recommend you use a shower pump, to provide the required water pressures. We do not supply pumps. The steam cabin is a freestanding product and as such we would recommend your fitter does not fit the shower into locations that mean the cabin cannot be moved away from the wall if needed. The couplings on the cabin to connect to your water supply are standard 15mm compression fittings.

Some of our products arrive in large boxes, please ensure that you have enough room to manoeuvre the boxes and their contents to the installation location.

All Measurements and weights are for guidance only. Package dimensions may change without notification. Whilst every effort is made to ensure this information is kept up to date, design and features are subject to change without notification.

Dream Camper Floor Plan Contest

Read article : Dream Camper Floor Plan Contest

Dream Camper Floor Plan Contest – Part 2 http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/dream-camper-floor-plan-contest-part-2/"> Dream Camper Floor Plan Contest – Part 2&BODY=I found this article interesting and thought of sharing it with you. Check it out: http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/dream-camper-floor-plan-contest-part-2/"> 12 more reader submitted dream floor plans including raw concepts, wild ideas, and subtle refinements.  And the winner of the first ever dream truck camper floor plan contest is… Just last week we visited a prominent truck camper manufacturer and the subject of our dream camper floor plan contest came up.  We talked with great excitement about the variety of ideas our readers were presenting, and encouraged them to study the plans when they debuted.  No, we didn’t give them a sneak peak.  It’s more fun to tease. None of the submitted designs, including mine, are anywhere near production ready.  That was never the intention or spirit of this contest, nor is it possible without delving into details like plumbing, electrical, and code compliance.

The true potential of this contest is to give truck camper users from around the United States, Canada, and the world the opportunity to directly inspire professional truck camper design teams.  You know, the folks responsible for the truck campers you see debut here on Truck Camper Magazine, at RV shows, and dealer lots?  This was your shot to show them your big idea, and possibly change the course of truck camper design history.

I know, crazy talk.  Then again, crazier things have happened.  I’m going to lobby the industry to take your designs and ideas seriously, as I do with our bi-annual truck camper survey coming up this fall.  Together, we will change the course of campers.

Far be it for us to determine who should win the best dream camper floor plan, except that’s exactly what we had to do.  This is, after all, a contest, and we are the big cheese, cheesette, and cheese-cat for this electron-only magazine.  After considerable review, and a tail gesture we interpreted as positive, we have a winner.

The winner of the first ever dream truck camper floor plan contest is…

Karl Pettitt, Elmhurst, Illinois – Winner

Above: Click to enlarge this floor plan and the others below to see them bigger.

Although I don’t currently own a truck camper, I would like to in the future.  I often think of what an ideal floor plan would be so this was a fun exercise.  I first did the layout in a program that was to scale.  The dimensions should be pretty accurate.

The floor length is 11-feet.  The total length is 19-feet, 9-inches.  The width is 8-feet.  It’s a single-slide, dry bath, flatbed model.

Although there are a few flatbed model campers on the market, I think there is a great deal of room for more.  Specifically, I think there is room for a larger model that takes full advantage of the ability to place the door anywhere.

To this end, I created a floor plan layout that places the door towards the front of the curb side of the camper.  This allows for greater flexibility in the placement of the bathroom, which I put across the entire rear of the camper.

The slide allows space for both a dinette and a small couch that can turn into a bed.  Placement of the kitchen towards the front, along with the heaviest components such as the fresh water tank, battery bank, and propane tanks, will help in keeping the center of gravity as close to the front as possible.

The placement of the entertainment center allows for viewing either on the main floor or the cabover.  There is overhead storage above the kitchen and couch that makes up for the lack of floor cabinets.  There is also ample windows allowing light in from either side of the camper as well as views.  I think this would make an ideal camper for a family with the potential to sleep up to six people without the use of a bunk.

#16 – David Miller, Branson, Missouri – Honorable Mention

My camper is designed with the premise that the most important things about a truck camper use are (1) the nice, soft, queen bed for sleeping, and (2) the nice bathroom for showering; not a wet bath.

The dining aspect needs less emphasis because, typically, the meals are simple and small.  In most cases, weather dependent, we eat outside at the picnic table.  Thus there is no need for a large dining table.

There is also no need to accommodate guests for sleeping.  If the grandkids are camping with us, they will sleep in a tent outside.  The concept of having the table convert to a bed is unnecessary, and a waste of space for us.

The attached drawing is for a non-slide design to fit a full-size short bed pickup.  I figure this camper will hang over the back of a 6’6” truck bed by approximately 27-inches.

Here are the wonderful features of my perfect truck camper:

It has a dry bath and shower.  This is extremely important.

The dining area has been reduced in size to only seat two adults.  The table is curved and the back of the seat cushion is curved to give the feeling and seating of a corner booth in a restaurant.  The only slight difficulty is that the person who sits down first will have to slide in and cannot get back out until the other person stands up, but, that is just like a corner booth in a restaurant and won’t be too much of a hassle.

There is a closet on both sides of the bed in addition to the foot lockers.  The television is mounted above the table, on the wall of the dry shower.

As you can see, the bed and the dry shower get the most emphasis, and the dining facilities are minimized.  It’s the perfect camper for two adults who want to shower every day after a good nights sleep.

#17 – Jake Schultz, Washington – Honorable Mention

A Folding Camper for the Ford Ranger

This camper is designed to be less than 780 pounds to work within the payload limit of a Ford Ranger.  It’s also designed to be 64-inches wide, with a maximum travel height of 82-inches.  These dimensions allow the camper to fit into a standard 84-inch garage in the folded configuration.

The camper features a full stand-up heigh interior of 76-inches, as shown.  A sun-dome could be added for an additional three-inches of interior height.

The camper has a double-pivot folding hard wall roof and sides with an open and panoramic cabin.

The camper can be used in one of four configurations:

1. Wide open with magnificent panoramic views to the aft sides and back.

2. Open to the aft sides and back, with screen netting in place.

3. Polycarbonate window panels in place (inboard of netting) for inclement weather.

4. Window panels in place and privacy curtains on the interior.

There would be comfortable seating for two at the dinette with the cushions angled slightly inward to account for the wheel well.

The camper would feature a modified full-size bed available at all times.  There would be a 24-inch cabinet for hanging clothes under the foot of the bed.

To save weight, the roof would be built for structure and snow loads only, not to stand on. The floor would be to stand on only if the camper is on the ground or in the bed of the truck, again to save weight.

There would be no jack stands.  The camper is suspended from the owner’s home garage root trusses to remove and store.

There would be an ice chest under one seat and Porta-Potti under the other.  There would be no refrigeration systems or black water tank.

All systems are in one four-foot module along the right side for minimum weight and system run lengths.  The module contains the propane tank, propane heater, two-burner stove, sink, fresh water tank, grey water tank, battery, converter, inverter, and small item storage.

#18 – Mark Larson, Phoenix, Arizona – Honorable Mention

This is my drawing for one of my dream campers.  Please excuse the poor scale on the toilet, lavatory, and kitchen sink.

I know this would be better as a flatbed model because of the side aisle going to the cabover and the location of the shower.  It could also be an above the bed rail model.  I’m with you wanting a camper with no slide outs.  You had a great design of your own.

#19 – Kari Miller, Branson, Missouri – Honorable Mention

My truck camper is the best design ever.  Here are the great features:

1. There is actually a solid wall between the over cab bedroom and the rest of the camper.  This creates total privacy, similar to a fifth wheel with an isolated separate bedroom.

2. The step to the bedroom is offset so there is not direct line of sight into the private bedroom.

3. There is room at the foot of the queen-size bed to access the closet and a real two-drawer dresser, which is what is needed for storing clothes in a camper.

4. A narrow, but deep and tall closet is behind the refrigerator is accessed from the step.

5. Instead of wasting room on a full table top and a table that converts to an unnecessary bed, this camper has a bar top for dining.  The seating consists of two bar stools which can be clamped down for traveling.  People spend many hours sitting on a bar stool so, obviously, these would be comfortable.  Plus, for most eating situations, people will either sit outside at the picnic table, or go out to eat at a restaurant.  There is a big window over the bar top so it would be pleasant sitting.

6. There is a slide-out pantry between the bar top and the range

7. The bathroom has a dry shower, which is important.

8. This camper should fit in a full-size short-bed pickup.  There are no slides, and it is
hard-sided.

#20 – Mike Cianci, Loveland, Colorado

Here’s my plan.  It’s fairly basic.  I chose a wet bath because it’s easier to clean.  Put it in the forward section near the wardrobe with a privacy curtain so nobody has to see your business.  And it’s easier to keep the bed/bath/dressing area cleaner.

I chose wardrobes with shelves or drawers which is more practical than hanging closets.  Who is bringing their tux and ball gown while truck camping?  There are overhead bins throughout where practical.

There would be LED lights, two batteries on a movable tray, and a small solar setup.  Only simple shades are necessary; no cornice, or valance boxes around the windows.

There would be 12-volt and 110 AC throughout, two Fantastic fans – one in the bedroom and kitchen – and an air conditioner   There would be a full-size skylight/dome in the bath with a side wall exhaust vent.

The sofa could be a jack knife-style, or have storage underneath.  And it would have two pull-out tray tables mounted in or adjacent to the armrest.  Plus it would pivot for easy egress from the sofa while eating or using computer, similar to tray tables on airliners in first class.

The television would be on standard pivot for bedroom and living room viewing, and would recess in a cabinet above the slide out pantry.  The rear exit door would have a platform deck for easy entry/egress.

#21 – Kevin Pinassi, New York, New York

#22 – John Wells, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

My design is a modification of the Chalet Ascent S100F, a limited production model (six total!) that Chalet discontinued to pursue production of their more profitable double and triple-slide models.  We love ours because it is completely usable with the slide in or out.

It has huge floorspace when the slide is out for entertaining friends and for ladies to dress in Civil War hoops (don’t ask).  The front bath allows a full height pleated curtain immediately behind the dinette to be drawn across to create a dressing room with access to bath, bed, and wardrobe.

There are no appliances in the slide, minimizing slide-out weight, and wear and tear on electrical and gas connections while maximizing efficiency of the refrigerator.  While we love our camper, please allow me to debut … drum roll… The Wellspring S110F.

My modifications to Chalet’s original design are as follows:

There would be 10-inches of increased length in the main cabin.  On the slide-out side, this extra wall space at the junction of the overcab and cabin strengthens the exterior at the crucial front corner tie-down.  We have already noticed flexing at this point and have taken steps to greatly reinforce this important structural location.  On the kitchen side, this extra 10-inches allows an increase in much-needed counter space, as well as under and over cabinetry.

I would also add about four to five inches to the side-to-side width of the wet bath.  The wardrobe doors and bathroom door would still function even with the slide in.

Additionally, I’d add half-penguin cabinets to the night stands at either side of the bed in the nose of the overcab.  These units would be open-shelved on the sides, half-depth and about 3/4 height, with a small rail or lip on the shelves and top edge to keep books, phones, clock, etc from falling out during travel.

I’d also add a three drawer cabinet with open top shelf and top rail at the foot of the bed on the bathroom side.  I’ve avoided the side hampers as I feel they add significantly to the difficulty of changing the bedclothes, though they could be added quite easily as an option.

#23 – Bob Dold, Monson, Massachusetts

Attached is my submission for the dream floor plan contest.  It is based off an EarthRoamer layout modified with a fore/aft dinette and an undercover slide-out compressor refrigerator chest.  I chose the slide-out compressor fridge since they are more efficient than a three-way refrigerator, and it allows for additional counter space.

One of my favorite features of the EarthRoamer plan is how the closet and bathroom doors can be opened and secured to provide a changing area outside the wet bath with access to the closet.  The wet bath has a wooded floor grate to provide a cleaner surface for the bath when the shower isn’t being used.

Access to the toilet cassette is through the rear storage door which drops down and can be used as a counter when cooking outside.  Another door above the horizontal door to the left of the spare tire can be used to store chairs and other lighter items out of the weather.

I prefer the side entry design as it allows the entire back wall to be used for storage and it allows access to the camper from the curbside when parked without having to remove bikes/trailers from the back of the camper.

The pantry to the left of the closet would be a bank of drawers with a window air conditioner unit above to provide for cool air without the expense and height of a roof mounted unit.  The dinette would be a little under three feet wide and can convert to a single bed if needed.

Large awning windows on either side provide lots of light and views with storage cabinets above them (not shown).  The overcab queen bed runs north/south to allow for getting out of bed without having to climb over your significant other, and has windows on both sides along with a skylight/Fantastic fan for good ventilation while sleeping.

Another feature I don’t see included on many campers any more is a pass through.  I would like the ability to stealth camp and having the pass through allows one to enter and exit the camper without having to go outside.

#24 – Floyd Schotel, Williams Lake, British Columbia

I’ve been dreaming up my ideal truck camper for a little while now, so you’re design contest is a great opportunity to share my napkin sketches!

For fuel efficiency, handling, and stealthiness, my ideal truck camper would be a low profile pop-up design to fit a 6.5-foot bed, full-size pickup.

The camper body extends past the bumper, dropping down for a low step-in side door.  Inside steps lead to the floor height.  This way the back of the camper is open to mount bikes, fuel, spares etc.  Also, the side door is a natural access to the curb or side picnic area.

Most of the windows are in the soft sides of the pop-up.  That way the camper will be more secure when in the locked down position.  In fact, the camper may look more like a service truck than a camper when in travel mode.

I’d keep the camper as small and tight to the truck as possible.  To keep things simple, I can do without a toilet/black tank, but a collapsable shower would be nice.

This camper is designed for boondocking and overland excursions as well as urban stealth camping.  I love the idea of taking my bed and a hot shower with me in a compact camper for a road trip.  No need to stress about finding a hotel, and a meal can be fixed anywhere, pronto!

#25 – Glenn Yauney, Milwaukie, Oregon

Here is an idea of a dream truck camper floor plan.   We started with the floor plan of a 1140 Arctic Fox.   We added a rear slide-out and side entry.

We would prefer a camper with both a rear and a side slide-out.  When towing a trailer, a rear door entry is awkward, thus we prefer a side entry into the camper rather than a rear entry design.   We added a large closet in the rear slide-out opposite the entry door for boots, outdoor clothes, etc.

Storage space is also at a premium, so I propose one that has both ample wardrobe closets and storage space equipped with larger drawers.  You can’t have too much storage space.

Exterior storage isn’t shown, but basement and exterior storage are also a must.

#26 – TJ and Kelly Kretschmar, Kansas City, Kansas

I am a mechanical engineer and have the ability to convert .pdf’s to CAD.  The Unimog part of the drawing can be found in the technical manual from Mercedes Benz website.  I printed the drawing to .pdf, then converted it to CAD.  I then printed the drawing for the Pangea concept and converted the drawing to CAD.

The reason I choose to draw this concept in CAD was to see if it was physically possible to put a garage bay in an expedition vehicle, and to incorporate my own ideas into the same space that would fit on a Unimog chassis with a single rear axle.

I deleted the interior of the lower living area so I could insert my own concept.  The items that I used from the original GXV drawing are the exterior walls, entry door, cassette toilet, and spare tires.  The loft area and access stairway is also GXV’s design, only with one bed instead of the two indicated in their drawing.

I used the Unimog drawing to make sure the entry door, center of gravity, and departure angle were going to work with the design.

We like the Pangea Lifting roof on a Unimog concept, but wanted it to double as a toy hauler.  We put one bed in the loft area to give the dinette area a sense of a vaulted ceiling.  The unit can be used in the down position for extreme cold weather.  The garage door folds down allowing access to spare tires.  The ATV slide out is similar to a Tommy Lift gate.

The camper would be able to detach with its own hydraulic jacks and allow for the installation of a dump bed.

This, of course, is just a dream.  For now our 1994 Hallmark Ute and 2006 Nissan Titan will have to suffice.

Related Items:

State Considers Turning Buses Into Mobile Showers For The Homeless – ThinkProgress

Read article : State Considers Turning Buses Into Mobile Showers For The Homeless – ThinkProgress

For less than New Mexico currently allocates to its State Massage Therapy Board, it could soon provide a fully functioning mobile hygiene bus for homeless residents in the Albuquerque area.

State Rep. Stephanie Maez (D), who represents a section of Albuquerque, recently introduced a bill that would put $200,000 toward constructing and deploying a bus equipped with showers and restrooms. HB 585 would fund a pilot project for one year, tracking data on usage, staffing, and expenses to run the bus.

At last count, there were 1,170 homeless individuals living in Albuquerque. More than 10 percent of them were children, and an even larger percentage were veterans.

KRQE interviewed a homeless man living in the city, Jack Russell Delorme, about the proposal. “It is a bright idea because it’s needed,” he said. “The role here is to survive.”

Restrooms can be a difficult challenge for officials trying to balance the desire to prevent public urination and defecation with the fact that bodily functions don’t magically cease to exist for homeless people. Many cities lack a sufficient number of public restrooms to serve their homeless populations, and most have even fewer (if any) public showers.

With no bathroom of their own and few public options, the result is entirely expected: people have no choice but to go in public. But rather than providing more facilities for the homeless, most governments are instead seeking to throw people in jail for needing to use the bathroom.

A 2011 report from the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty found that respondents in 73 percent of cities, such as Honolulu, reported arrests, citations, or both for public urination or defecation. This level was higher than any other offense related to homelessness. In addition, four out of five respondents said that their city lacked a sufficient number of public restrooms. The report recommended more public toilets, saying, “Providing a 24/7 public bathroom reduces the need for homeless people to resort to public urination or defecation and helps prevent the criminalization of this basic human need.”

Retrofitting buses with showers and restrooms is an idea that is gaining popularity in a number of cities. In San Francisco, a local woman launched a charity last year, LavaMae, to transform old city buses into mobile hygiene units. The idea soon spread south to Palo Alto, where a private charity is currently raising money to build a mobile trailer with showers, restrooms, and a washer/dryer.

New Mexico may soon become the first to devote state money to the idea. The bill is quickly gaining support in the Republican-held State House, unanimously passing the Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee last week.

It’s Time To Get Rid Of Gender-Specific Toilets

Read article : It’s Time To Get Rid Of Gender-Specific Toilets

Unsplash / Mike Wilson

The topic of gender has dominated the news over recent months. There’s been the huge controversy within the BBC in the UK, with many questioning the apparent divide between the salaries of male and female employees. As an organization who regard themselves as socially progressive employers, actively promoting equality between men and women, the disconnect between their brand message and the reality of the how these values exist in practice has left many with a bitter taste.

But the topic of gender isn’t the sole reserve of equal opportunities in the workplace, and it impacts us all in a variety of ways. Nowhere has the discussion been more hotly contested than the topic of gender-neutral toilets – and it is in this slightly less glamorous arena that the issue of gender has transformed our collective conception of what going to the toilet should entail.

Why do people want gender neutral toilets?

The rise of gender-neutral toilets is a concerted effort to provide transgender and non-binary individuals with a more comfortable and safe experience when going to the toilet. With many facing the choice of “which bathroom am I less likely to be harassed in?” the approach seems both logical and sensible. However the debate from both sides, and everywhere in-between, has led to controversy both outside and within the trans community.

Granted, the complexity of gender can often make for strained conversation due to a broad diversity of opinion and a variety of personal experiences on the issue, but such debate often obscures the fact that gender-neutral toilets are potentially far more banal than they might sound. But there does exists a wide portion of society that is against the idea, and many of the concerns are arguably entrenched ideals that have their roots in the cloudy origins of single sex toilets.

The murky history of gender specific toilets

The earliest instance of gender specific toilets apparently dates back to a Parisian ball in 1739. Signs at the event directed people to either a “Men’s Toilet” or “Women’s Toilet.”

Prior to this bathroom-based segregation, public toilets were commonly designated for men only, the idea that in order to protect the virtue of women, they needed to stay at home to take care of the children, iron and generally complete household chores.

But as women began to emerge in the workplace, reforms became increasingly necessary. A hundred and fifty years later, urinary segregation came to the United States, and in 1887 Massachusetts became the first state to pass a law mandating women’s restrooms in the workplace. By the 1920s, most other states had followed suit.

The overarching narrative of this newfound toilet apartheid was part of a total gender division in public life; women soon had their own reading rooms at libraries, their own entrances at post offices and banks, and their own carriages on trains. Today society has undoubtedly progressed, and these forms of gender segregation have been largely removed, but it’s surprising that one of the last bastions of this female/male divide throughout public life is the humble wee. Which begs the question: why?

The argument to keep single sex toilets

It seems there are two main reasons why we’ve continued to persevere with separate bathrooms. The first is equipment (a woman using a urinal is both impractical, and a sight to behold if successful), and the other is modesty. The traditional belief that sexes shouldn’t mingle when performing our daily duty has become ingrained in large parts of the public psyche.

The concept of “doing your business” before coming out to meet a member of the opposite sex seems alien to many of us, but is this because it’s just not we’re used to, and is there an inherent problem with that?

The practical considerations, however, seem less concerned with any form of prejudice. It’s fair to say that on the whole, women’s toilets are often nicer than their male counterparts, sporting an array of comfy sofa, mirrors that aren’t cracked, and toilet seats that haven’t been denigrated by a misfiring aim. Put simply, women’s toilets smell of rose petals and rainbows (whatever smell that may be), while the odor emanating from the men’s toilet is often enough to wilt the hardiest cactus.

In this particular context, there’s evidence to suggest that technology may be part of the solution. The equipment already exists where toilets can open and close automatically depending on your particular intentions, and automated cleaning robots can work constantly and tirelessly in order to avoid any potential mishaps. Cleanliness, it would seem, is an obstacle that could be overcome.

Queuing however – although a popular British pastime – is a practical concern for everyone involved. The further introduction of gender neutral toilets could result in men reminiscing about the convenience of their beloved urinals, and women may have to contend with increased cubicle competition.

In Berlin, authorities already have a plan to address the issue of urination efficiency, as they seek to redevelop the city’s conveniences, outlined in a 99-page city strategy paper called “the toilet concept”.

In the future, it’s proposed that urinals throughout Berlin should be used by all genders, and as part of their wider strategy, they’re in the process of testing a new, innovative female urinal. A prototype has already been installed at the university in Gelsenkirchen, and it comes with its very own cubicle door. The system is like a men’s urinal, only lower, and the user has her back to the wall before adopting a pose akin to a downhill skier.

It is not yet clear whether standing up to urinate will be acceptable to most women, but the point is that there are possible answers. As a species we’ve put people on the moon, so efficient toilet designs should be a walk in the park by comparison.

The argument for gender neutral toilets

Single-cubicle unisex conveniences are often touted as something new, a change that shouldn’t take place, but they’ve been around forever and the sky hasn’t fallen in. We use them at home, in cafes, restaurants and bars, and no one thinks anything of them.

The main contention appears to be in larger public facilities, but even here gender neutral washrooms are becoming increasingly common, including Lancaster University, The Barbican and a wealth of private businesses, often with a sign and a caption that reads “We don’t care.”

Anna Lee, vice-president of Lancaster University’s Student’s Union and a trans woman, explains how she campaigned for gender neutral toilets at Lancaster:

“Over the years my university has agreed to have single self-contained cubicles in all new builds. At first they were apprehensive but after the first few had been built it became the norm.”

As it’s an important point, change is often viewed with apprehension and fear, but after time it becomes the status quo, and the whole debate quickly become a non issue.

Carers looking after someone of the opposite sex could also benefit from gender neutral toilets, having the freedom to enter a single bathroom if the solitary disabled toilets found in most locations is occupied. Restaurants and private businesses would also be exonerated from playing gender police, a situation that has previously opened proprietors up to costly lawsuits.

It’s likely that in years to come, society will look back on the toilet gender discussion and wonder what all the fuss was about. It’s starting to happen already, particularly among the younger generation who are increasingly challenging conventional gender stereotypes, with half of US Millennial’s agreeing that gender isn’t limited to the binary concept of male and female. Slowly, people are viewing the bathroom divide as an unnecessary relic of the 19th century.

While there will always exist people on both sides of the argument, the main point is that for transgender and non-binary people, the fear of being attacked in a public bathroom is something that no one should live with. And surely we’re clever enough and adaptable enough to figure out how to go for a wee without the world exploding.