Stoma unfriendly toilets
Stoma unfriendly toilets
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UK petition for more stoma friendly toilets approved.
Take control of your bag life...
Take control of your bag life...
If you are concerned about how to do bag management (empty, change, etc.) when away from home... then this page offers practical tips that can help you take control of your stoma-life when out and about.
Reality and Priorities
The UK Equality Act 2010, requires that employers and service providers ensure that disabled people have equal access to facilities.
In many countries, having a stoma is considered a disability. Unfortunately, the reality is that most toilets (including disabled ones) are NOT stoma- friendly and making them so is either low or no priority.
The Disabled Toilet Question...
The Disabled Toilet Question...
We are asking for the wrong solution!
We are asking for the wrong solution!
As a seasoned ostomate living with a bag on my belly (and someone that subscribes to a number of stoma related social-media feeds), in-my-humble-opinion (IMHO) the wrong solution is being asked for!
We should NOT be asking to adapt existing disabled toilets to become stoma-friendly for the following reasons:
The typical disabled toilet layout design cannot readily be modified to also cope for ostomate needs (see below).
Having a stoma is classed as a disability. Unless the ostomate wears a disability-lanyard, then it is an invisible disability and many have experienced being (verbally) abused for using the disabled facilities.
It costs less to make ANY cubicle stoma-friendly
than to modify an existing disabled toilet...
It costs less to make ANY cubicle stoma-friendly
than to modify an existing disabled toilet...
For employers, service providers, pubs, bars, cafes, etc., it only takes 3-4 inexpensive items to make any ordinary cubicle stoma-friendly.
A shelf (ideally about 6 inches wide) above the loo at an appropriate height.
A couple of hooks one on the back of the door and one alongside the shelf. If the shelf is wood, the hook can be screwed into the side of the shelf.
A bin for stoma-waste-bags.
A mirror above the shelf. This is 'nice to have' but most ostomates will manage without.
A sign (laminated) that shows 'this' is a stoma friendly cubicle.
Many organisations will have multiple cubicles. Even if they add the above items to just one, the benefits will be immense to ostomates.
But - we already have Disabled Toilets!
But - we already have Disabled Toilets!
The issue is that many organisations and social outlets believe that having disabled toilets satisfies the stoma requirement. Unfortunately, not all disabled toilets have the appropriate stoma needs in an accessible position.
E.g. the mirror is typically above the sink and the 'shelf' tends to be a baby-change unit on the side of the wall away from the toilet.
Take a look at the above photo. Where would you put the shelf, mirror, etc. The cost of making this type of loo stoma-friendly will be expensive, time consuming and removes this facility for a period of time.
Making this stoma-friendly is the wrong solution!
The best solution is to make any cubicle stoma-friendly. Doing this is a cheaper solution, increases the number of stoma-friendly cubicles and avoids the negativity of have an invisible disability.
This isn't
Game of Thrones...
Don't take the knee!
This isn't
Game of Thrones...
Don't take the knee!
There are those that advocate (via social media, etc.) that going down on one knee helps steady yourself when you need to empty your bag!
But the floor of many loos, especially men's are not exactly suitable to take a knee!
According to a 2021 Italian survey by Farmoderm, some 17% of all ostomates take knee when emptying their bag because it helps avoid splashback and some 29% simply stand astride the loo. Squatting is another method, but this tends to be done by younger / fitter ostomates.
However, this biggest issue that puts ostomates off is the piss-covered-floor...
Don't despair about using ordinary cubicles...
Don't despair about using ordinary cubicles...
It does NOT cost a fortune to make any toilet stoma-friendly. This tip from an ostomate is practical, inexpensive, and works for most cubicles.
1 Create a stoma-travel-kit
Get an over-the-shoulder bag that can hold all your stoma bag management products. If you have a dog, then poo-bags serve a dual purpose.
2 Get stoma-travel kit add-ons
Get a portable (make-up) mirror, a couple of S hooks and suction hooks. Typically, these are not bulky and will neatly fit into your stoma travel kit. You can also get mirrors that attach via a suction cup.
3 Attach the add-ons around you.
Position the hooks, etc. such that you can attach your bags close to you. When you need to empty or change your bag, rather than 'take the knee' try sitting (the other way) facing the back of the loo. Try with the seat up and /or down to determine what works best for you.
My UK petition
My UK petition
Make 25% of all public loos stoma friendly.
Make 25% of all public loos stoma friendly.
Submitted 8th December 2025
Submitted 8th December 2025
Petition Progress
Petition Progress
Petition Progress:
Petition Progress:
Created petition
8th December, 20255 supporters required to progress to next stage - done
9th December 2025Awaiting decision on meeting Petition Standards, If approved then people can sign the petition.
11th December 2025Petition approved - please sign here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/753860
21st January 2026
Petition Text: Provide funding to make 25% of all public loos stoma friendly
Set aside funds for local councils to make 25% of all public loos stoma friendly to create a safe space for ostomates to manage their bags. Needs to include a narrow-shelf, and hooks to hang stuff on.
Approximately 205,000 people in the UK have a stoma. Having a stoma is a disability. Not all loos are stoma friendly. Ostomates report having to use dirty loo floors to lay out their bag stuff. They are verbally abused when using disabled loos. The cost, time and effort to convert existing cubicles is minimal. People with stomas are being disadvantaged. Please address this need. Thanks.
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