Many older individuals in Wales are intentionally dehydrating themselves or opting to stay at home because of the lack of public toilets available. COVID-19 has led to the closure or limited accessibility of numerous toilets, which has caused a great deal of distress for seniors. Wales Senior Forum has urged the government to allocate specific funding to public toilets, highlighting the severity of the issue. Chairman Gareth Parsons claims that “Every needs a toilet, everyone had the right to a toilet but there is no statutory obligation for councils to provide them.” Parsons has requested that the Welsh government introduce legislation that enforces the provision of public toilets as basic amenities.
Bridgend County which has 26 public toilets saw 23 temporarily shut since the COVID pandemic hit. The local authorities with the most public toilets were Gwynedd and Pembrokeshire, with 61 each. However, some areas have none, such as Blaenau Gwent council. Bridgend council proclaimed that toilets were being vandalised and defaced with faeces regularly, which led to the closures. The council is seeking alternatives for this ongoing problem.
Individuals who suffer from conditions such as incontinence, urgency, prostate problems, and more are highly affected by public toilet closures and limited accessibility. Drinking water is essential for maintaining good health, and dehydration can lead to an array of problems. According to Rhian Morgan from the charity Age Cymru, many people who they have spoken to have forcibly dehydrated themselves to avoid using public toilets, which is a grave concern.
The Welsh government recognises the challenges local authorities face but has issued statutory guidelines that promote better access to existing toilet facilities in public and private sector buildings. Accessibility to washrooms in restaurants and shops is a positive move to make an effort in tackling this situation. The government emphasised that accessible toilets are particularly critical for those with certain health conditions
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