Leading healthcare equipment supplier Innova Care Concepts has been chosen to supply and install three Changing Place facilities in football stadiums across the North East of England.

The company has been working with top-tier football clubs since the Equality and Human Rights Commission published a report revealing that only half of Premiership clubs had stuck to their agreement to install a Changing Place by August 2017.

The Changing Places campaign was set up in 2006 to highlight the fact that standard accessible toilets simply do not meet the needs of the wider disabled community. People with multiple and profound learning disabilities, as well as people with physical disabilities like multiple sclerosis and spinal injuries will need additional facilities and equipment to go about their day. Changing Places provide the right equipment and space needed for these people to use the toilet in a safe and dignified manner.

Innova has already installed Changing Places at St James’ Park and Riverside Stadium – the homes of Newcastle United and Middlesbrough FC respectively. The company will also be installing a Changing Place at Sunderland AFC’s home ground next month.

Tom Hulbert, Managing Director at Innova said:

“Changing Places are so important. You see them popping up in the news more and more – and with good reason. Premier League football clubs might finally be taking notice of the lack of accessibility they offer, but that doesn’t mean that clubs in lower tiers shouldn’t be taking action as well.”

Campaigners are putting more pressure on public facilities like theme parks and shopping centres that do not currently have a Changing Place installed. With the demand for accessible facilities growing, Innova has taken the decision to hire a new member of staff to deal specifically with these projects.

Innova’s new Changing Places Consultant, Richard Smaldon, said:

“I am delighted to be supporting the Innova team at such an important time for accessibility and inclusive design. Our goal is to install Changing Places in as many public spaces as possible ensuring that people with health conditions or impairments have the right facilities that they need.

“We’re already in talks with other football clubs and sports stadiums that are looking to install Changing Places, but we’re also exploring opportunities with many progressive public venues. I look forward to Changing Places being readily available wherever disabled persons enjoy spending their time.”

Changing Place facilities are specifically designed to provide the best equipment and support to most people with profound and complex disabilities. They include overhead hoist systems, changing benches, and other specialist equipment as is detailed here.