Meeting of the Parliament 25 March 2026 [Draft]
I thank Edward Mountain for raising this important issue. We recognise that the lack of a suitable surface to assist with changing a stoma bag can be an inconvenience as well as a source of stress. We do not hold any data centrally on the number of accessible toilets with a stoma shelf, but that data should be available from individual health boards. However, as Mr Mountain has brought the issue to my attention, I have asked officials to work with NHS Scotland to improve the provision of stoma shelves or equivalent surfaces within all NHS accessible toilets. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of those facilities in users’ lives and administers the changing places toilet fund to support the availability of toilets that support a range of needs, including those of people requiring to change a stoma bag.