Morrisons praised after introducing new toilet rule across 497 stores
A new Morrisons rule, implemented across all of its stores, has been praised for the impact it will have on men. Earlier this year, the company announced that all accessible toilets in its supermarkets, across England, Scotland and Wales would become stoma-friendly.
The initiative aims to support independence, dignity and comfort for people living with a stoma and was rolled out following customer feedback. A minority online criticised the move in the mistaken belief that it was done as a means of making their stores more welcoming to trans customers. However on the whole, the move was widely praised for the outsized impact the move would have for people with stomas and other conditions.
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Elaine Miller wrote on X: “This is great news. Men with stomas or who use pads need hygienic bins too.”
Another X user named Gale added: I just want to say congratulations and thank you for rolling out toilets fit for disabled and ostomats across all your full sized stores. Small changes make a big difference to the lives of 1 in 335 UK people with a stoma.”
Whilst a third continued: “I learned just yesterday that polyps, piles and -sadly- colon cancer all can cause rectal bleeding and some men put pads in their underwear or wear incontinence materials due to this. Why didn’t they already have a place to dispose of these?!”
Morrisons stoma-friendly toilets include features advised by Colostomy UK such as hooks for clothing or bags, a shelf for supplies, a bin for discreet disposal, and a mirror to help with appliance checks.
Morrisons worked with Member of Scottish Parliament and advocate for the stoma community, Edward Mountain to introduce the new facilities. Edward wrote to the retailer to share his story and request the toilets be made stoma friendly.
He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2022 and had a stoma whilst his bowel recovered.
He said: “As a bowel cancer survivor, and as someone who’s lived with the consequences of bowel surgery and a stoma, I cannot emphasise how important this is.
“These new facilities will make bathrooms easier to use, more accessible, and spell the end of the difficulties, embarrassment and discomfort many of us faced to this point.
It is currently estimated that one in 335 people in the UK are living with a stoma. Individuals of all ages may have a stoma, which can be temporary or for the rest of their life.
Stoma surgery is undertaken to treat a range of illnesses including cancer, diverticulitis and Crohn’s disease or following a trauma to the abdomen.
David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director at Morrisons said: “We’re really pleased to introduce these improvements in all our stores after listening to customers and with guidance from Colostomy UK.
“By making facilities easier to use across all Morrisons stores, we hope this brings reassurance when out and about and represents a step towards reducing everyday barriers and improving access to suitable facilities across the country.”